THE PRACTICAL PLANTED. 



bends, well fitted for ribs or knees, are formed $ 

 which shows that this valuable plant, by aid 

 of a little trouble, may easily be trained for 

 ship-timber. A happy circumstance, since 

 the Wood is found little, if at all, inferior to 

 Oak. 



Gthly. THE SCOTCH, SPRUCE, AND SIL- 

 VER FIRS, &c. None of these require any 

 other Pruning than keeping their stems 

 single, when they hap pen to push twin 

 leaders, the strongest of which is invaria- 

 bly to be retained. This is to be under- 

 stood of trees standing in a close planta- 

 tion, or in groups ; but, in the character 

 of detached trees, it may be necessary to 

 shorten the extremities of such branches as 

 grow long and slender, and which are un- 

 able to support their own weight; inas- 

 much, as they will frequently, if in good 

 soil, push vigorously on all sides, to the de- 

 triment of the leader. 



But it can never be proper to lop the 

 branch of a Fir-tree by the bole. From 

 the resinous juice which follows the tool at 

 any season of the year, all wounds become, 

 and continue to be, blemishes. When it 



