CHAPTEE XVIII. 



THINNING PLANTATIONS. 



IN the successful rearing of timber trees for profit there 

 is, perhaps, no other branch of more importance than a good 

 knowledge of the art of thinning, and, at the same time, one 

 on which so great a diversity of opinion exists. 



Thinning plantations, be they old or young, must always 

 be subject to great modification, according to the nature of 

 the trees and soil, or ultimate design of the plantation being 

 operated upon, and is a matter requiring great tact, fore- 

 thought, and discrimination, and that can only be acquired 

 by long experience and by those having a good insight into 

 the peculiarities and properties of our general forest trees. 



The same rule as regards thinning will not apply to, say, 

 fir, hardwood, and mixed plantations ; and far less will it 

 hold good in the case of an ornamental and a profitable 

 wood. No universal rule can, however, be laid down for 

 thinning, but general principles can be given that will be 

 sufficient for the guidance of those who have to undertake 

 such work. 



In thinning any plantation two very important points are 

 well to be borne in mind first, cut away all diseased and 

 dying trees ; second, study the relationship of trees and soil, 

 and act in accordance. To be more explicit, we might say 

 that, in the first case, the removing of all dead and dyin? 

 trees is a necessity, and, being done, one can proceed with 

 greater certainty in the disposal of the standards to be left 

 In the second case, by suiting the trees to the soil, at least 

 as far as possible, great good is accomplished, and an instance 



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