64 THE NEW FORESTRY. 



specifications are clear, and they are usually simple enough. 

 We believe that in most cases at least thirty per cent is saved 

 by letting the work by contract, and the workmen prefer piece 

 to day-work. 



In setting out the planting to be carried out during , the 

 year, the extent should correspond with the quantity of timber 

 to be felled and disposed of. In all fairly well-wooded estates 

 the quantity of produce disposed of should defray the cost of 

 management and planting, and leave a balance to the good. 

 Where this system is carried out methodically, it will be found 

 that a comparatively small extent of planting is required to 

 provide an equivalent for the number of trees felled and 

 disposed of. The extent of ground cleared should be approxi- 

 mately reckoned, and the ground to be planted set out 

 accordingly. By these means a regular succession is kept up, 

 the expenditure is moderate and more regular, and no gaps 

 should occur in the plantations. 



SECTION VI. — FORESTRY BOOK-KEEPING. 



In certain well-known books on forestry the book-keeping 

 for the forester is a great feature — nearly sufficient to employ 

 one clerk, at least, on a moderate-sized estate. For example, 

 there should be entered in the time-book, we are told, the days 

 of the week, the days of the month, the daily state of the 

 weather, the thermometer, each man's name, where he works, 

 what he is doing, and the amount of his wage for whatever 

 fraction of time he may be employed at any spot The pay- 

 sheet has twenty-five columns, and the items of each man's 

 time and wage are entered in every column opposite his name, 

 the total number of entries for twelve men being exactly 

 three hundred. Everything relating to the woods accounts 

 is on the same scale, and the labour involved thereby to the 

 forester and the estate office may be imagined. Although this 

 remarkable " System of Book-keeping adapted to Forest 

 Operations " has been recommended by the same authority 

 up till quite a recent date, we believe very few estates indeed 

 are to be found where it is adopted, and there are still fewer 

 proprietors who take the trouble to master such records when 

 they are presented. Every practical man knows that such 

 red-tape systems of book-keeping in every department ot an 

 estate are a farce and a waste of time. Men's time and work 

 have often to be kept by subordinates, and it has too often been 



