EFFECTS OF THINNING ON YOUNG PLANTATIONS. 173 



them is at an end ; and if any thinning is done in 

 such cases, it does not improve but rather injures the 

 crop, by retarding its growth in various ways, as 

 already explained. 



All thinning of pine and fir plantations, I would 

 again repeat, should be commenced before the side 

 branches touch each other, and be continued till the 

 trees stand about "7 feet apart, after which they may 

 very safely be handed over to nature to perfect and 

 complete their growth, the forester meanwhile only 

 to be employed in cutting and removing dead or 

 sickly trees till the crop is ripe, when it should be 

 cut, cleared, and the ground replanted. 



