96 PLANTING. 



water, which is highly injurious to plants. Instead 

 of pitting the ground, another and better plan was 

 adopted — ^viz., to pare off a thin turf from the surface, 

 and by means of a peculiar footpick made for the 

 purpose, termed the bore - bill or forester's footpick 

 (see fig. 1, p. 10), the ground was well broken and 

 rendered loose and open. This system is at least two- 

 thirds cheaper, and the results otherwise much better 

 than by pitting. 



The hardwoods were planted at a general distance, 

 apart of about 17 feet, each sort allotted to the soil 

 most suitable for it. Next to planting the hardwoods, 

 the ground was gone over with silver firs, and planted 

 in a way similar to the hardwoods, at a general dis- 

 stance of about 24 feet apart. Norway spruce was 

 also planted in some soft mossy parts, about 10 feet 

 apart. A few (SOO) pinaster were also planted pro- 

 miscuously as a trial upon the driest and most exposed 

 parts. Scots pine was planted at the rate of 750 to 

 the acre or thereby, and larches at the rate of 1250 

 per acre — not regularly all over, but as much as pos- 

 sible to suit the soil. Undernoted is a statement of 

 the whole expense : — 



Fencing — 



531 larch posts, at 5d £11 1 3 



13 iron straining - pillars and stones, at 



10s., 6 10 



Labourers' wages driving posts, &c. , . . 5 8 6 

 Contract for erecting 1062 yards wire 



fencing, at 6d., 26 11 



£49 10 9 



Drainage — 



1500 yards surface drains, at Id 6 5 



Plants — 



1000 ash plants, 3 feet, at 23s. per 1000, £13 



Carry forward, . . .£130 £55 15 9 



