188 THINNING. 



thinning plantations of one species of trees ; hence the 

 great expense always entailed in doing so, and conse- 

 quently the small returns. In thinning out a larch- 

 tree, for example, growing in the midst of hardwoods, 

 where an open fall cannot be obtained, it is necessary 

 to ascend the tree either by means of a light ladder 

 or otherwise, and the operator being provided with a 

 handsaw, to commence, as he ascends, and clear the 

 tree of all such branches as are likely to come in 

 contact (when falling) with the standing trees. 



Frequently the whole of the branches, and sometimes 

 also the top part of the tree, have to be cut off in this 

 manner ; and the trunk thus pollarded is, by means of 

 the pole and rope attached, drawn down into the most 

 convenient open space. It frequently happens that a 

 tree thus situated and taken down costs considerably 

 more than its worth in the market. Such was found 

 to be the case in thinning this plantation. The cost 

 of labour was frequently more than double the value 

 of the thinnings ; and never in any instance during the 

 writer's experience has the produce of those thinnings 

 equalled, or even approached, the cost of the labour. 



Before commencing to thin, the trees were always 

 marked by the head forester, so that the best skill 

 was brought to bear upon the operations, and the 

 work performed in the most judicious manner. At 

 first the thinning was performed at all seasons, but 

 of late years it was principally done during the sum- 

 mer, at which season the bark was stripped from the 

 oak and larch. The chief difficulty of thinning at this 

 season of the year is owing to the tenderness of the 

 young shoots, particularly of those upon the pines and 

 firs. Spruce are so tender and easily injured at this 

 period of the year, that a slight shake of the tree is 



