CHAPTER XII. 

 THINNING OF PLANTATIONS. 



WE have endeavoured in the foregoing chapters to 

 build up, as it were, a plantation, and have followed 

 carefully the various operations which are from time 

 to time required. There must naturally be an 

 interval of rest between the final replanting and first 

 thinning, during which period Nature is at work 

 and, in her silent way, bringing to maturity what 

 man has commenced. Her work will be more or less 

 rapid and successful as man has carefully and wisely 

 performed his. If the principles of true forestry have 

 been ignored and the work of preparation and plant- 

 ing been carelessly carried out, the first thinning may 

 be required too early or possibly be too long deferred ; 

 but if the principles laid down have been followed, the 

 work of thinning may be commenced from 12 to 20 

 years after planting. This wide space may seem 

 remarkable and halting to the uninitiated, but it 

 simply applies to the distance chosen, the quality of 

 the soil, the aspect, kinds of trees, and so forth. 



There is no fixed period for thinning ; the forester 

 must exercise his discretion, and upon this discretion 

 will depend very greatly the future success of the 

 plantation. If too early, there will be waste of 



