THINNING PLANTATIONS. 



plantation tree in a healthy, growing condition, and to pro- 

 duce a trunk of useful dimensions. This may, however, be 

 explained as follows : that the almost entire absence of 

 large limbs and branches, which in some cases would 

 amount to one-fifth the total bulk of the tree, renders the 

 amount of sap, and consequently of leaves, required propor- 

 tionately less, the nutriment being mainly elaborated in the 

 building of the trunk. 



Independently altogether of the forests of northern 

 Europe, Canada, etc., which have grown up naturally, I 

 might give many examples in our own country the native 

 Fir forests in the Highlands of Scotland, the valuable Beech 

 woods on the Chiltern Hills, and a few Larch plantations in 

 Yorkshire and Bedfordshire where trees averaging 70 feet 

 in height, growing at from 4 to 6 yards apart, and with only a 

 tuft of foliage atop, may be seen. It is only, however, by 

 long and careful study and attention to different trees at 

 different stages of their growth that any idea can be formed 

 of the amount of branches and foliage required for prepar- 

 ing the sap that will be necessary for the profitable yearly 

 increase 'A the trunk until maturity is arrived at. 



The questions now to be dealt with in growing timber for 

 purely economical purposes are : 1. At what age should 

 thinning be commenced ? 2. To what extent should it be 

 engaged in? 3. What time should elapse between each 

 thinning ? And 4. Whiph trees should be removed ? 



At the outset, it may be well to mention, that in so far as 

 any of the above questions are concerned, no hard-and-fast 

 line can be laid down as to the universal management of 

 plantations, each tract of wood, and even different parts of 

 the same wood, according to the particular species of tree,, 

 quality of soil, altitude, and exposure, being dealt with on 

 its own peculiar footing. Many serious mistakes have been 

 committed, and irreparable damage done, by treating every 

 plantation alike and according to the rule-of-thumb method. 

 Upon the manner in which thinning is performed, much of 

 the ultimate success of a plantation will depend, and it is a 

 matter requiring great tact, forethought, and discrimination, 

 and that can only be acquired by long experience, and an 



intimate knowledge of trees and their surroundings. 



135 



