THINNING. 165 



and if it be necessary that one of the two 

 fall, by leaving which of them shall we do 

 most justice to the laudable intention of rear- 

 ing timber for our own, or the good of 

 posterity ? 



But, in order to prevent unnecessary repe- 

 titions, and that the subject may be more 

 clearly followed, let us proceed with, 



1st. THINNING OF MIXT PLANTATIONS, 

 And here, removing the nurses is the first 

 object which generally claims attention. 

 This, however, is to be cautiously and gra^ 

 dually performed ; otherwise, the inten- 

 tion of nursing might be thwarted. If the 

 situation is much exposed, it will be prudent 

 to retain more nurses, although the planta- 

 tion should be rather crowded, than when it 

 is sheltered. In no case, however, should 

 the nurses be suffered to overtop or whip 

 the plants intended for a timber crop ; and 

 for this reason: in bleak situations, and 

 when, perhaps, a certain nurse-plant can 

 hardly be spared with propriety, it may 

 sometimes be necessary to bare one side of 

 branches entirely. At a subsequent thin- 

 ping, such plants are first to be removed ; 



