THIXXIXG. 79 



near the top remain quite sound and liealtliy, the stem 

 would be not only as thick immediately below the 

 lowest vital branches as the base of the trunk, but, 

 for anything to the contrary, even thicker. I have 

 measured some trees which actually girthed more 

 several feet up than at the base, caused in every case 

 by large healthy branches furnishing the stems im- 

 mediately below which were clear of any branches 

 below that point. 



The work of thinning not only regulates and 

 determines the number of trees upon the ground, but 

 it likewise determines the number and quality of the 

 branches upon each individual tree. 



The more that trees are sheltered and their tops 

 preserved from injury by storm and tempest, the more 

 uniform and regular will be their side branches. Trees 

 much exposed are short in the stem, irregularly topped, 

 bushy and spreading, all produced by the leading shoots 

 sustaining injuries from time to time, and each time a 

 new effort is made to regain its leader, an irregularly 

 sized branch is produced, and more growth thereby 

 thrown into the side branches. Those who have had 

 an opportunity of seeing the rare old larches at Blair 

 in Athole, or those in the wilderness at Cullen House, 

 will observe how their tops have been injured and leaders 

 lost several times during their growth, and the struggle 

 they have had in attaining their present state of per- 

 fection. 



On taking charge of woods, whether upon a large 

 or small estate, it is important to know accurately every 



