THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



matter; wherefore, in proceeding to thin 

 such, or similar plantations, particular care 

 should be taken to do it by degrees for seve- 

 ral years, until they can finally be brought 

 into order; observing to keep the margins, 

 and any point much exposed, considerably 

 thicker than the other parts. 



But the degree of caution necessary, will 

 ever vary with circumstances ; nor can these 

 be specified in every instance unseen. As 

 experience is the best monitor, to those un- 

 skilled, or unaccustomed to the practice of 

 marking and thinning of timber, it may be 

 useful to remark, that the best way is to go 

 over the plantation a first and second time, 

 until they can bring it to their mind, or the 

 degree of order necessary ; marking with 

 paint in doubtful cases, lest it might be found 

 prudent to let a tree stand which had been 

 wounded incautiously* 



