CHAPTER XI. 



How the Oroiind sTtould he Prepared lefore Trees are 

 Planted upon it. 



In moist climates, such as those of Europe and North America, the 

 preparation of ground previous to j)lantuig being done upon it is 

 generally considered of secondary moment to other matters connected 

 with forestry; but in this country, where the climate is such as to 

 demand that every possible means be availed of in order to secure a 

 supply of moisture to the plants during the driest period of the year, 

 this is a sxibject of the first importance, and upon the due consideration 

 of which will depend the success, or otherwise, of ^he operations. I 

 shall therefore devote a short chapter to a few hints on the subject. 



In the preparation of grotmd for planting, we must always keep in 

 view to do so in such a way that its capacity for absorbing and retaining 

 moisture will be increased, at the same time that the surface herbage 

 upon it will be decreased to such an extent that the destruction of the 

 trees upon it by fire will be entirely avoided, or at least reduced to a 

 minimum. These are the chief matters for our consideration under this 

 heading ; the question then at once arises, how ^e these to be secured ? 

 The answer is, by thorough cultivation only. By cultivation we secure a 

 bare surface, free from grass ; the soil is loosened to such a depth that 

 the tender and delicate rootlets of the trees can penetrate beyond the 

 reach of climatic excesses ; the soil, in this case, takes the place of a 

 sponge, which absorbs the rain as it falls, and carries down with it a 

 store of organic and inorganic food for the roots, besides acting as a 

 reservoir for the water which would otherwise have run awaj' to waste ; 

 the hot rain penetrating down into the ground adds warmth and life to 

 what would othermse, in all probability, have been a cold ungenial site ; 

 while, again, where there is thorough cultivation there is generally entire 

 freedom from frosts and stagnant water. 



The ground intended to be planted, if it has not been under cultivation 

 previously, should be systematicallj- ploughed to a depth of not less than 

 six inches before the end of the mnter rains, and afterwards the land 

 should be rigidly summer-fallowed by ploughing and harrowing several 

 times during the summer months, so that by the next rainy season the 

 surface herbage upon the site shall have been thoroughly rotted and 

 killed out. Immediately after the first good rains of the year following 

 the first ploughing, the ground should be re-ploughed, and at the same 



