y6 THE LARCH. 



stage, and of the same unvarying quality throughout, 

 which is never the case, on even a very small area 

 of ground, much less in an extensive plantation or 

 forest. 



Even if uniformity in size of trees were attainable, 

 it is undesirable, for it is well known to every prac- 

 tical forester, and, indeed, to every one connected 

 with wood or timber, that trees of all sizes are in re- 

 quest. Sometimes the largest sort is sought for, and 

 at other times the smallest, and when neither can be 

 found suitable, disappointment and loss are the results, 

 because no tree could be found to properly suit the 

 purpose. 



To produce trees all of one shape and form is not 

 to be attempted, for this implies also that the ground 

 upon which they are grown is of one uniform quality, 

 level or incline, and, moreover, that the same influ- 

 ences, and even accidents, act and bear upon the one 

 tree as upon the other. 



It has already been shown how thinning should be 

 conducted, in order that each individual tree may 

 sustain its own proper character and proportions of 

 height and girth, but it has not yet been shown 

 either how long this conical form of the tree is to 

 be maintained, or the means to be adopted to bring 

 about the desired change of form from the cone to the 

 cylinder. 



A young tree, which means one at that period 

 when thinning is considered applicable and beneficial, 

 should be of a truly conical form. Yet it is well 



