] 28 THINNING. 



term itself is, however, of the smallest moment, while 

 the operation and effect are of the very greatest conse- 

 quence. The growth of forest-trees, as is universally 

 known, is at the fastest but a slow process ; while, on 

 the other hand, the cutting down or work of thinning 

 is the very reverse. Two trees have grown up to- 

 gether, it may be ten, twenty, or thirty years, unmo- 

 lested, undisturbed, and underanged in any of their 

 functions, and having thus grown up, they have com- 

 pletely adapted themselves to each other, and formed 

 powerful attachments, and in a very important sense 

 formed strong affinities for each other. 



In this state and condition the two trees are found 

 growing and doing well ; and so on with the others, 

 pairs, triplets, or larger groups throughout the whole 

 plantation or forest. Then, why and wherefore break 

 up this long- cherished connection and friendship, and 

 disturb the congenial relationship of those well-doing 

 pairs, since they have grown so long and so well 

 together ? The answer to this compound and com- 

 plex question must of necessity be of very considerable 

 length, but will, it is hoped, be found fully answered 

 in the sequel. Trees, like everything subjected to 

 growth and development, are constantly undergoing 

 change, sometimes more rapid and sometimes less, 

 according to an infinity of prevailing causes and influ- 

 ences which surround them. In thinning forest-trees, 

 two primary considerations are to be kept constantly 

 before us. The one is the full, free, and perfect 

 development of every part of the tree, so as to pro- 

 duce vigorous growth and prolonged life in the tree 

 itself ; the other is the growing of the tree so as to 

 form the best and most suitable subject for some one 

 or other of the many requirements of art or industry. 



