REPORT ON THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS. 257 



mongers under that name, with sharp edge on hack and front, 

 which is, in comparison, but a feeble instrument. The differ- 

 ence and advantage of the one over the other can only be found 

 out in using it. 



Pruning was performed at the same time as the thinning, and 

 cost 5s. per acre, or Is. per 100 trees. The principal require- 

 ments in pruning here were to relieve double stems, double tops, 

 to clear the trunks of lateral branches to one-third of their 

 height, to remove decayed branches, and to cut over injured or 

 decayed trees. 



Owing to the sickly and generally unhealthy state of the larch, 

 it was thinned out with a free hand to the number of about 550 

 trees per acre, including decayed ones. Out of this number only 

 250 trees were of a sufficient size for net stakes, the others being- 

 inferior, and fit only for pea sticks or training rods, for which 

 there was no demand in the district. 



The Scots pines were thinned out to the number of 400 per 

 acre, none of which were of any use, for though some of them 

 were large enough for net stakes they were too soft for that 

 purpose. 



Spruces were thinned out to the number of 400 per acre ; 

 10 out of every 100 were fit for and made into net stakes, 

 but were much inferior to the larch, and sold at one-fourth less 

 money. 



Including hardwoods and all sorts, 1500 trees in all per acre 

 were thinned out, leaving the crop upon the ground at 5 to 6 feet 

 apart, being at least twice the number that should have stood 

 upon the ground at the time if they had been properly clothed 

 with branches. Owing to the latter defect they were thinned 

 sparingly. 



The work of thinning cost at the rate of 40s. per acre, or 2s. 8d. 

 per 100 trees. This included pruning, collecting, and carrying 

 out useful thinnings only, not the branches or useless weeds ; 

 which latter, if cleared out, would have cost a sum at least equal 

 to that of thinning. The money received for net stakes was 

 L.8, 10s., which, after deducting Is. 8d. per 100 for making, 

 left to the proprietor 14s. 7|d. per acre as clear return from 

 the ten acres thinned ; 8s. 4d. per 100 received for the stakes. 

 It may here be stated, that during the performance of the 

 work of thinning the workmen had a distance of from four to 

 five miles to walk night and morning, which made a difference 

 in the amount of labour of fully one-fifth over that of doing the 

 work near their homes. 



"With regard to management, the state of the plantation is good, 

 except where the Scots pines are too thick ; as respects the health 

 and development of the trees it is bad, except the spruces upon 

 the soft ground, which are all that could be wished. 



