THINNING PINE AND FIR PLANTATIONS. U5 



men are sufficiently experienced to be able to thin out 

 the proper trees without their being marked, because 

 the time and labour of marking would at least do half 

 the cutting. The work is done by means of 

 the famous hook-bill, improved and manufac- 

 tured by E. Sorby & Sons, Sheffield, and sold 

 by T. Methven & Sons, nurserymen, Edin- 

 burgh, under the name of Michie's improved 

 bill-hook, of which fig. 3 is a representation. 

 It will be observed that the handle is thor- 

 oughly adapted to the hand, so as not to be 

 held too tight, and the weight of the instrument is 

 towards the point, and only so far curved as to protect 

 and preserve the back part of the blade. 



Some of the most valuable Scots pine plantations, 

 or patches of them, we have ever seen are those in 

 which the trees stand not more than 8 to 10 feet 

 apart. We are well aware this practice of thinning 

 recommended for Scots pine is objected to by some 

 foresters, but that of itself neither makes the practice 

 right nor wrong. Our reasons for so thinning are 

 because the work is done at a period of the planta- 

 tion's growth when it can be done cheaper than at any 

 subsequent period ; and though, as already stated, no 

 revenue can be derived from the thinnings, it will yet 

 be found in practice to be cheaper, and pay better 

 ultimately, than any other system. 



[TABLE OF THINNINGS. 



