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CHAPTER III. 



HOW THINNING PINE AND FIR PLANTATIONS 

 SHOULD BE DONE. 



ONE of the largest Scots pine plantations in Strath- 

 spey, originally planted with about 2000 trees to the 

 acre, or say 4J feet apart, the object of which is to 

 grow heavy mature timber of first-class quality in the 

 most profitable way. Such plantations are recom- 

 mended to be thinned to about 800 trees per acre as 

 the crop. 



The first thinning is recommended to be done when 

 the general crops are from 4 to 6 feet high, and pro- 

 bably six to eight years old. A good woodman is 

 able at that stage of growth to thin an acre, less or 

 more, in two days, at a cost of 5s. to 6s. per acre. 

 The thinnings may be counted as of no money value, 

 because if cleared out they are not worth more than 

 the cost of the labour. The plantation, thus once 

 thinned, need not of necessity ever again be thinned, 

 but may grow till ripe for cutting and clearing. 



Some of the most profitable pieces of Scots pine 

 woods and plantations in the kingdom are those 

 (whether by accident or intention) that have been 

 grown on these or similar principles. 



This primary thinning is best done when the work- 



