144 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



ther, in all probability, according to situation, 

 the trees will be benefited by the shelter af- 

 forded as above, until they are established 

 in the soil ; or, whether they will not rather 

 sustain injury by the whins or broom, 

 through luxuriance of growth, impoverish- 

 ing their pasture. 



In the first case, the rule is, keep the tree 

 so far clear, that at no time, in the most 

 severe gale of wind, its top or branches be 

 whipt by the whins or broom ; and in the 

 second, go over and clear the whole ground 

 annually, until, by the trees overtopping and 

 overshadowing them, they become so weak- 

 ened in growth, as to be of no farther injury 

 to the timber crop. 



And for this purpose, my practice lias 

 been, to perform the operation in April, 

 when the weeds are just taking their spring 

 growth, and full of sap ; using the spade 

 alone, previously well sharpe?ied, for the sake 

 of facility : and it is surprising what progress 

 a diligent person will make. The plants 

 are brittle, being full of sap ; the spade, by 

 the width of its mouth, takes on a good 



