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however, it is not safe to rely too much on thinning 

 out. Experience teaches that there are many plantations 

 which should be thinned as their age increases, whereas, 

 when the right moment arrives, it could not be decided 

 upon ; there are very few where thinning has been 

 properly carried out. 



The setting out of the rows is clone by means of 

 the compass. When planting them the prevailing winds 

 must be taken into consideration. Opinions are divided ; 

 on some estates, the rows are planted in an East and 

 West direction, so that the soil gets plenty of sun. 

 Others plant the rows North and South, so that the 

 Hevea crown shades the soil in the morning and after- 

 noon. If a catch crop is to be planted, the former system 

 is to be recommended ; otherwise the second. 



With regard to thinning, opinions are divided as to 

 the best way. On some estates, it is done regularly, for 

 instance, at each alternate tree in the row, it being 

 considered immaterial as to whether a large or small 

 tree is taken away ; other planters - - I believe most of 

 them prefer to have the thinning out done so that 

 only the weaker trees are taken away, to such an 

 extent, that only the desired number of trees per acre may 

 be left. 



The first practice has this advantage, that a perfectly 

 regular planting distance is maintained, which always, 

 not only for upkeep, but also later on for tapping, 

 considerably facilitates matters. 



If planting is made in regular rows, this will allow 

 an irregular thinning out, as the regularity will be suffi- 

 ciently maintained to allow of satisfactory control of the 

 plantation. 



