EFFECTS OF THINNING ON YOUNG PLANTATIONS. 169 



In consequence of the long interval between com- 

 mencing to plant and finishing it, difference of quality 

 of soil and exposure, &c., there is a corresponding 

 difference in growth all over the plantation. In some 

 parts the trees are over 15 feet high, while in others 

 they are scarcely half that height. 



With such an extent of plantation before us, we 

 had to consider well what course to pursue with the 

 thinning. We saw that to allow such an extensive 

 plantation to grow to any considerable height before 

 thinning would be attended with disastrous conse- 

 quences, and in order to avoid this, we commenced 

 work on all parts where the trees had attained 6 to 8 

 feet high, and cleared openings or shooting-roads as 

 the work proceeded. The roads are laid off 100 yards 

 apart each way, thus dividing the whole plantation 

 into squares containing 10,000 square yards each. 

 The reading was done by contract, the width specified 

 to be 16 feet, and all trees, heath, and whins cleared 

 off and thrown clear of the side-drains at least 3 feet ; 

 the trees, heath, and whins all to be kept separate, 

 and laid in small heaps amongst the growing trees in 

 such a manner as not to injure them. The trees and 

 whins to be cut level with the natural surface of the 

 ground, and all heath and other herbage to be mown 

 with the whin scythe and raked off. 



The work of reading was let in two separate contracts. 

 By the one the work was done at three-farthings per 

 lineal yard, and by the other at one penny per yard. 

 At the above rates the contractors earned for them- 

 selves, and those working under them, fair wages, say 

 18s. to 20s. per week. The heath, whins, and thin- 

 nings were sought after by the tenant-farmers and 

 peasantry in the district, and carted off by them with- 



