FORMATION OF COVERTS. 49 



into night coverts for plieasants^ tlio same geiitleiiiaii rcriiarks 

 that " Hiiy phmta.tion cuiitaiiiiiig a dnu ])roportion of piiiosj or 

 of s]iru(;e aud silver fir, uau lie readily niaxle a seeui'e i'i_>(jstiiig- 

 phice f(ir pheasants, if eunvenieiitly situated for tlic- purpose, 

 and not too much exposed to vinlent winds. All tliat is 

 necessary is to cut nut the larches as rapidl}' as can be done 

 without letting in the wind too suddenly. The oaks, ashes, 

 Ijeeches, &c., nia,y lie allowed t(j stand wherever they do not 

 iujure a thriving pine or hr. The larches (inly are a daugerons 

 temptation to the pheasants at niiistiiig time. Tlieir iierfectly 

 horizontal branches, and the considerable amount ot slielter 

 which their numerous twigs and regular head afford to the 

 birds, iiabice many to jierch in them ; whereas young oaks, 

 ashes, tVc, attract very few indeed. If the jilantatiou 

 consisted entirely of I'esinous trees, so that none of the 

 last-mentioned hardwood trees are present, then we have 

 to consider what is to lie done to till u]i the vacancies. If 

 tlie Soil be tolerably nitiist aud fertile, I would recommend 

 that all the larger o])euings be filled with the best and 

 strongest plants of silver fir that can be procnred — say from 

 two to three feet in height. Let a cluster of three or more 

 of these be planted in pits, carefully ]irepared with spade and 

 pickaxe, about five feet asiunhT, in the centre uf every 

 (jpening; f<.ir it is ii pity to waste such plants iii closer 

 proximity to tall pines and spruces. If there be room for 

 only one silver fir, let only one be planted. This species is 

 not very liable ti.i be niblded by hares aud ralibits if jirotected 

 for the first year. Let the branches of the filled larches, 

 with wliicli tlie ground must still be lialf covered, lie drawm 

 around these young plants without delay, for very little will 

 suffice t(j turn the enemy aside. 



" Silver firs are very preferable to spruces or pines for 

 fiUiug up vacancies, for these latter, when drawn np slender 

 by shade and shelter, are sure to be ruined by hares and 

 rabbits, whereas the silver fir is of a different habit, and will 

 not be drawn up in the same manner, nor is its taste so 



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