NEGLECTED PLANTATIONS. 211 



has never yet been thinned, it becomes neces- 

 sary to be more cautious; thinning out per- 

 haps only the half, or two thirds that might 

 have been necessary to reduce it to regula- 

 rity at first; and returning to finish the thin- 

 ning the sooner. 



If the plantation is above twenty, or about 

 thirty years old, has never been thinned, and 

 stands much exposed to the wind, great cau- 

 tion in the performance is requisite. In this 

 case, not more than one half of the number 

 necessary to reduce it into proper order 

 should be removed at first ; but in two sea- 

 sons after, a fourth ; and in other two or 

 three seasons, another fourth part should be 

 taken out ; reducing it into order by degrees. 



But plantations of this age which have 

 been thinned, perhaps ten years ago, are 

 pretty much sheltered, and are now again 

 quite thick, may require less care in thinning 

 their interior parts ; although it may be pro- 

 per to be cautious in thinning the margins, 

 Indeed, the margins of all neglected planta- 

 tions should be kept as a kind of barrier 

 against the wind, until the interior parts are 

 in some measure hardened. 



