202 0^ THINNING PLANTATIONS 



the whin scythe and raked off. The work of roading was let in 

 two separate contracts. By the one the work was done at three 

 farthings per lineal yard, and by the other at one penny per 

 yard. At the above rates the contractors earned for themselves, 

 and those working noder them, fair wages, say from 18s. to 20s. 

 per week. The heath, whins, and thinnings were sought after 

 by the tenant farmers and peasantry in the district, and carted 

 oif by thcQi without making any charge. Having first deter- 

 mined upon the base line as the starting-point, the whole 

 subsequent operations were carried on by means of the cross 

 staff" and poles used in land measuring. In the midst of a dense 

 forest or large plantation like this, it is impossible to carry the lines 

 straight and parallel witliout some squaring instrument, of which 

 the cross-staff is the most convenient for practical use amongst 

 common labourers. The reasons why it is desirable to have the 

 roading done before thinning is commenced, is in order to guide 

 the latter operations. Any one practically acquainted with 

 thinning young plantations knows the unpleasant effects of a 

 bewildering and interminable thicket, and the confinement and 

 want of air and sunshine. I conclude that ten men do as much 

 work in one month in a well-roaded and properly laid off' planta- 

 tion as they would do in six weeks in one without roads or 

 openings. Another reason for making the roads the first work 

 in connection with thinning is to afford facilities to the keepers 

 for killing rabbits and <zame. I recommend making all the 

 ■roads straight and parallel with each other, as far at least as the 

 nature of the ground will admit. The advantages of the parallel 

 straight roads are also experienced during the cover shooting, by 

 affording the beaters the opportunity of coming into and keeping- 

 line at the end of every 100 yards, and the roads themselves 

 determine the distances at which the guns are to be placed. 

 Straight and parallel lines of roads are recommended, but cannot 

 always be carried out in practice. Eoads leading up hill must 

 of course be curved or serpentine, and as no road can be led 

 through a morass or swamp, or over a precipice, all such 

 places must be avoided, and this cannot be done without 

 deranging the plan of squares and straight lines. My plan is, 

 when a deviation of road is unavoidable, to confine it to the one 

 particular road, and not derange the general lines of all the 

 Toads. 



The work of thinning is proceeded with according to the 

 size of the trees ; and here special attention should be paid to 

 their height. As a rule I thin when the remaining crop stands 

 6 to 8 feet high, at which period they should be about 8 feet apart, 

 or say 700 trees per acre. I know this practice is called in 

 question by some, and condemned by others, and few approve 

 •or practise it. On these and otlier accounts I am all the more 



