ARBORICULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2269, 11 July 1881, Page 3

ARBORICULTURE.

T. The neoeseary steps to take in preparing land for tree planting depends to a great extent upon the trees selected and the formation of the ground. Where the land possesses a moderately deep soil, and a subsoil which is not too hard for the roots to penetrate, it only requires to be submitted to the ordinary method of ploughing and harrowing, after which holes are dug and the trees planted ; but when the subsoil is of an impenetrable nature it is waste of time and money to plant, unless the subsoil is to a certain extent loosened. The general way of trenching is, of course, out of question on a large scale in a country like this, because it would be found too expensive ; yet, when farmers, Ac. only intend planting a few acres, the more rapid growth, less failures and fewer badly formed boles, and the arriving to maturity sooner than when not trenched, fully reimburse the, what is often thought, large outlay at first. Much has been said for and against the necessity of trenching for trees, but experience has taught that plantations which have been trenched invariably look and do the best ; numerous instances could be mentioned where stunted plantation* have been cleared, and after the same land hag been trenched trees have grown successfully. The strong winds in this province should induce planters to trench, as the roots, unable to penetrate and get a firm hold, aro liable to become a prey to the storm, or so shaken by wind as to be totally crippled. We can only come to one conclusion upon this matter —if trenching cost no more tnan ordinary ploughing it would always be dona. The cheapest and easiest method may answer in other things, but care should be used in applying it to timber growing, as the labor and attention of a life-time might be thrown to the winds. I would strongly advise all planters who have the means wherewith to give the trees a fair start, to trench all hard gravelly soils, and those with a hard crust or pan underneath, also deep clays and peaty loams, for by so doing the clay loams become pulverised and the air admitted, which is necessary for the growth of roots. The peaty loams generally resting upon clay or sand are always benefitted and rendered suitable fox trees by being mixed with the clay. in trenching for trees it is not necessary to bring the bottom to the top, except when the top soil is devoid of organic matter, as in the case of (and seams resting on » good subsoil, and peaty loams, which if not mixed with sand or clay, rarely produce sound timber. The usual method practiced by foresters when trenching is necessary, is to merely loosen the bottom with picks, or, as is often done in America, by ploughs made for the purpose. Starting at one end of the land, a long strip of the soil is taken off to the depth of an ordinary spit, and about 18in in width, and carted to the intended finishing spot, the exposed bottom is then picked over so as to loosen it sufficiently for the roots to penetrate. A line is then stretched ISin further on, the top soil is then spaded and shovelled on to the disturbed bottom, when the same is repeated to the end. Bearing in mind that the objects to be gained by preparing the land are porousness, so as to enable the tender and flexible rootlets to search for food, depth, which enables the trees to withstand the storm, and a proper temperature beneath the the surface, which keeps the roots in health, also that these objects are essential to the well-doing of a forest, it becomes evident that the planter should be guided in his work by the absence or presence of these requisites; therefore it is not necessary to disturb the soil otherwise than making the holes, where judgment decides that the land is sufficiently porous and of a sweet nature, to the depth of not less than 2£t. Modern foresters have found out that the majority of lauds can be made porous by a system of drainage, which would no doubt answer admirably for many places in this province. In following out this plan lauds with a very hard crust or pan, and very dry lands, must be out of the question. The block of land intended to he planted is intersected by parallel drains when possible, varying in distance apart and depth according to the nature of the soil. If of a very stiff and retentive nature, the drains ought to be about Aft deep and 30ft apart; in ordinary lands, 2Jft to 3ft deep, and from 60ft to 80ft apart! is found to be sufficient. The bottoms of these drains should be about Sin wide, with good sloping sides. Unlike agricultural draining, when, to secure all the surface possible, the drains ore covered in, they must be left open, as the roots of the trees would soon reader the drains ineffectual. Until recently it was only deemed necessary to drain wet and stagnant lands ; but practical experience bos led to tee discovery that by drainage lands retentive an) impenetrable to roots aro rendered sufficiently porous and a temperature produced suitable for the healthy growth of roots. TLese effects are caused by the rain penetrating through the subsoil in finding its way to the drains. And where water can freely descend and pass away, the air heated by the warm rtyi of the sun can also penetrate, hence the tenperature of the subsoil is increased, the loan sweetened, and the roots are enabled t» travel where, without this treatment or thj more expensive method of trenching, they would have found it impossible to go. Before laving this subject of preparation, it is well b say a little upon the shape of the plantations. Ho person planting timber trees with the ittention of having a good income from tiem should plant in strips or form narrow planations, for trees in such positions never produce good timber ; this is apparent to all who ta;e the trouble to look into the matter. We al know that the tallest and best trees are h the centre or most sheltered part of a mass forest, and that the trees on the outsides are invariably stunted and branched; to that in forming narrow strips the planter is merely going in for outskirts. Now, as every nroprietor or planter ought to askor rather desire—to produce the greatest possible quantity of marketable timber upon a given extent of land within the least possible time, it is important to have the plantation the best shape for shelter, and as this is the greatest requisite in hurrying on trees, it becomes the end and aim of practical foresters to secure it. To do this, ail strips are avoided, as the trees take twice as long to grow. Straight lines are also avoided, even in thick plantations, as straight surfaces cannot turn aside the force of a storm. Concave surfaces are never allowed on the exposed part of a forest, as they oorcentrate the force of the wind, and like straight lines, must result in great damage to the trees. But in marking the outlines of a future forest, care should be taken that all the exposed parts (hould have a convex surface, for then the wind is divided, and its force turned on one side. This is a point greatly neglected by many in laying out grounds, but if attended to, and carefully considered, would spare many a feeling of disappointment and prevent great loss in the future. Ohbis-Mudd, Bivcrlaw.