126 



very much ; trees at the height they have arrived at, 

 may with safety, and should be pruned too, for their 

 future shape as a tree, but when they get older the 

 pruning knife should never be applied, except in 

 cases of necessity. By a judicious pruning of trees, 

 or more properly may be called plants, at this height, 

 say from two to four feet high, the future shape and 

 health of the tree may be in a great measure deter- 

 mined. To keep underwood in plantations of this 

 kind, is very useful for the health and growth of the 

 old trees to be reared to maturity, and by having the 

 underwood of oak, it may be turned to excellent ac- 

 count by cutting it over every twenty years or so, as 

 an oak coppice, &c. at same time affording excellent 

 shelter for all kinds of game. 



No. XLI. 



- Young Plantation. 



This is a most excellent soil for rearing trees of 

 every description, although very poor and inclining 

 to moss, and the situation high and bare for miles 

 round it ; for although the situation is bleak and ex- 

 posed, yet in planting a large field of it together, it 

 may be made a fine plantation, and will be of the 

 greatest use here in covering the cold, bleak looking, 

 naked moor, and will not only warm, shelter, and 

 cover the bare appearance of the place itself, but will 

 ornament and beautify the whole of this bare looking 

 country for many miles distant. For which import- 

 ant purpose, not only what is already planted, but a 

 great deal more should, and could, with great pro- 



