METHOD OF THINNINGS. 35 



the higher trees which threaten the existence 

 of smaller but more valuable kinds, is termed a 

 cleaning. 



To effect the object we have in view, the cleaning 

 must evidently be commenced as soon as the evil 

 shews itself, and sometimes during the process of 

 regeneration itself. As a rule, however, there is 

 seldom occasion to do it until after the final cutting, 

 or at the earliest, simultaneously with it. 



In carrying out this operation, great care must be 

 taken not to destroy the leaf-canopy, firstly, because 

 the soil can never be too well covered, and secondly, 

 because if stems that are quite young, are isolated, 

 they are apt to bend and even to break under the 

 weight of snow, hoar-frost, or their own leaves. If 

 then there are too many plants to take away at once, 

 they must be extracted by degrees. Moreover, the 

 process which gives the best results is simply to bend 

 them down instead of cutting them back at the roots, 

 by this method an injurious cover is done away with, 

 and at the same time a thick growth is maintained 

 down below. 



It is almost needless to remark that where noth- 

 ing but soft-woods exist it is far better to preserve 

 them than to fell them and thus to create a blank. 

 They protect the soil if they do no more, and later 

 on seedlings of more valuable trees will put in an 

 appearance under their shelter, and these may be 

 uncovered at the right moment. 



It is but seldom that one single cleaning suffices to 

 ensure the maintenance of the hard- wood rees, or 

 to effect a proper admixture of the best kinds. It 



