Object of Thinning 



37 



"assessment of the locality," will be able to take into account 

 all the many points requiring consideration. 1 



In mixed woods (see p. 40), the first thinning may consist of 

 ( I ) such species as may have been used as a "nurse" for the temporary 

 shelter and protection of a more valuable species, provided that the 

 latter is sufficiently well established to fight its own battle; (2) single 

 specimens which have become attacked by disease, or which are 

 weaker ; (3) species which are found to be unsuited to the district. 



The following statistics, collected in Germany, apply only to 

 soils of the first quality. 2 



1 It is due to reckless overthinning in the past that British timber has got such 

 a bad name for roughness, more especially as regards pine and spruce. Years of 

 care and good work may be spoilt by insufficient attention to this, with a consequent 

 loss of "profit" to the landowner. 



2 Schlich's "Manual of Forestry," vol. 2, p. 290. 



