88 PLANTATIONS. 



left, and the contrary. As it respects the Oak, 

 the principal point to be aimed at is, to spare all 

 those, as the thinning goes on, that have the best 

 defined heads. This will be an easy matter with 

 an experienced and well-taught planter, or wood- 

 man, and the difficulty, if any there be, will be 

 less at each succeeding thinning, as the heads of 

 the trees develope themselves. 



But when trees are not planted so thickly 

 as to insure length of bole by natural pruning, 

 they must be pruned with the knife and the 

 bill-hook, and the earlier the operation is begun, 

 the better. 



I doubt not but some of my readers will stamp 

 this advice with their unqualified disapprobation. 

 It may be very good and correct notwithstanding. 

 My own experience, as well as that of many 

 others whom I have consulted, convinces me that 

 the notion, which so extensively prevails, as to 

 the injurious effects of pruning, is decidedly incor- 

 rect. It may have had its origin in the evidence 

 of injury to timber, which has been furnished by 

 injudicious pruning; and thus what would have 

 else been universally seen to be necessary, has 



