FOREST TREES. 31 
in spring with an iron rake, or with the cultivator. 
After three or four years, ploughing may be discon- 
tinued; and the plantation will, thenceforth, require 
little other care than pruning and thinning from time 
to time as may be needed. 
As forest trees differ greatly in the rapidity of their 
growth, and the size to which they ultimately attain, 
it is best, as far as possible, to plant the different kinds 
separately. In a timber belt they may be disposed in 
squares or blocks. When planted promiscuously, the 
more rapid growers overpower the weaker. Ever- 
greens and deciduous trees designed for timber, should 
not be mingled together in plantations. 
The seeds of the Oaks, the Black Walnut, Butter- 
nut and the Hickories, most of which do not trans- 
plant sell, should be planted where the trees are to 
remain. Trees, the seeds of which are small, or 
which make but little growth the first year, are best 
grown in seed-beds, until they are of proper size for 
transplanting. 
For raising Willows or Poplars from cuttings, the 
slips should be ‘ot less than eight inches long, reject- 
ing such as are less than one-third of an inch in 
diameter. They are best cut in autumn, and tied in 
small bundles with osier-withes or tarred twine. 
They may then be buried in the ground, selecting a 
spot not likely to become wet, or packed in damp 
earth and put in a cool place in the cellar. As early 
in the spring as practicable, they should be planted 
in a trench made with the plough or spade, placing 
them in an upright position, pressing the earth com- 
