280 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



several important considerations, on which the future economic 

 value of the plantation will greatly depend, need attention. Alti- 

 tude, exposure, nature of the soil, and facilities for getting out 

 and disposing of the produce are all potent factors, and must not 

 be lost sight of. In conjunction with economic tree cultivation, 

 some attention should also be given to the shelter afforded to adjacent 

 lands and farm stock, as such neither interferes with the value of the 

 plantation, nor is attended with extra expense in cultivation. 



Many considerations will tend to determine the position of 

 boundaries, such as bounds of property, proximity to roads and 

 paths, and the existence of future probabilities of modes of transport, 

 all being more or less significant factors. 



The shape of the plantation will greatly depend on the area of 

 the enclosure and conformation of the ground, and in exposed situations 

 we have to consider how best to prevent long-continued and hard- 

 hitting winds from injuriously affecting the health of the trees. The 

 form of outline must, therefore, be laid out with due regard 

 to the prevailing wind, and should always present a convex side 

 towards it, as it is obvious that on striking such a curve the force of 

 the wind would be divided and expend itself in two opposite directions, 

 thereby losing much of its destructive power. When it is intended 

 that the plantation should serve the double purpose of sheltering 

 itself as well as the adjoining lands, the outline should be nearly 

 that of an acute angle with the apex presented to the wind. 



Fencing. — In the preparation of ground for planting, efficient 

 fencing is an indispensable operation, and should be attended to 

 immediately after the clearing of the ground. The first object to 

 be aimed at in a fence is durability, and the least possible ultimate 

 expense in conjunction with utility. To recommend any particular 

 class of fencing would for various reasons be invidious, and its nature 

 must be largely determined by local circumstances. 



In connexion with fencing it should be remembered that the 

 larger the area enclosed, the smaller the cost for each acre — provided, 

 of course, that judgment is exercised in laying out the boundaries ; but 

 in any case it is one of the most expensive items, and as such 

 should be carried out with as little cost as is consistent with durability 

 and the object in view. Circumstances will help to decide which class 

 of fencing is most desirable for enclosing the plantation. Where 

 stones are "plentiful a stout 'wall built " dry " and with the copestone 

 laid in mortar may be found both cheap and efficient ; while a deep 

 ditch and stout bank, planted atop with thorn, beech, or hornbeam, 

 has been found an excellent protection in high-lying and exposed 

 districts. Wood and wire fences are sometimes adopted, particularly 

 when timber is available on the estate ; but all these are now almost 

 entirely superseded by iron and wire fences, which are readily erected 

 in any situation at a comparatively moderate cost. 



Clearing the ground. — In all cases clearing may not be necessary, but 

 where heath, broom, furze, bramble, and strong-growing grasses are 



