Thinning and Pruning Forest Trees. 325 



The pruning of timber trees overhanging arable hind is often 

 resorted to for the benefit of the under crop ; but the general uusight- 

 liness of such trees, and the frequently hideous appearance of their 

 mutilated trunks, should go far towards recommending their entire 

 removal where they become a nuisance. 



In coppices, where the growth of the underwood is very rapid, 

 it will often spring up in time to stamp out the growth of the 

 epidermic branches upon the standards. 



In plantations of the fir tribe it will often be necessary to remove 

 rival or injured leaders. Where these trees stand close together, 

 and the lower branches die off, it is always better to remove them by 

 a timely pruning close to the trunk, taking care not to injure the 

 bark, as the bolt-like insertion of the decayed branch is very injurious 

 to the tree. 



Every cat with the pruniug-knife or chisel should leave a clean 

 smooth section, and afford no lodgment for water. To insure this, 

 where a branch is removed at some distance from the trunk, the upper 

 part of the section may overhang a few inches. 



Independently of the largely increased profit accruing from well- 

 managed timber, there is in the appearance of a lofty forest, a 

 well-assorted group, or a single stately timber tree, a grandeur and a 

 beauty which amply repay the cultivator. Many an admirer of 

 nature, in surveying- a well-shaped and colossal specimen of tlie 

 Forest King, whose " embryo vastness at a gulp " the " thievish 

 jay" was not allowed to swallow, has felt the full force of the lines in 

 which Bryant apostrophises it : — 



"Tiiis inigMy oak 

 By whose unmovable stem I staad ami seem 

 Almost annihilated — not a princ?, 

 In all that prourl old world beyond the deep] 

 E'er wore his crown so loftily as he 

 Wears the green coronal of leaves with which 

 Ttiy hand has graced him." 



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