THINNING MIXED PLANTATIONS. 185 



so steep as to render it unsafe even for the grazing 

 of cattle. 



The plantation is situated at an altitude of between 

 250 and 350 feet above the level of the sea, and is 

 sheltered, with the exception of the highest ridge, from 

 the north and west winds by higher grounds, so essen- 

 tial to the growth of all trees, particularly larch and 

 spruce. 



The trees of which the plantation is composed are 

 embraced in the following list : 



Oak to constitute the principal ultimate crop. 



Ash to be thinned out from amongst the oaks as the 



last thinnings. 

 Elm to be thinned out from amongst the oaks as the 



last thinnings. 

 Sweet chestnut to be thinned out from amongst the 



oaks as the last thinnings. 



Larch to be thinned out as first profitable thin- 

 nings, after having acted towards the hardwoods 

 as nurses. 



Scots pines to be thinned out as secondary thin- 

 nings, after acting to the hardwoods as nurses. 

 Spruce, a few to remain permanently to impart 

 variety to the plantation, and act as nurses to 

 the hardwoods ; the others to be thinned out for 

 profit. 



The preceding list comprises seven different sorts of 

 trees, in addition to which four other varieties were 

 planted, of which only a few specimens remain. Such 

 a great variety naturally suggests the inquiry, Why 

 plant so many sorts ? The answer is, that at the 

 time of planting it was not known which class of trees 

 would succeed best ; and therefore a great variety was 



