256 ELEMENTS OF SYLVICULTUEE. 



During the first thinnings, before the resin-tapping 

 begins, the lower branches of the pines are pruned 

 off, so as to obtain a clean stem of at least sixteen 

 feet. The object of this is to get rid of the dead 

 stumps of branches, which interfere with the 

 continuous flow of resin. Moreover, as the wounds 

 caused by the pruning get covered over by new rings 

 of wood, the operation of chipping off the bark and 

 wood necessary for tapping is greatly facilitated by 

 having an even surface to work upon. Experience 

 goes to justify this removal of the lower branches. 

 These branches must be lopped off close to the stem ; 

 but care must be taken not to produce an 

 unnecessarily large wound. Above all it must be 

 borne in mind that a tree can never have too much 

 foliage, and therefore only a few branches ought to 

 be pruned off at a time. 



It is easily seen that the thinning and pruning 

 operations leave the soil exposed to the light. The 

 spare foliage of the pine aggravates this condition. 

 Thus a rank vegetation presents itself, consist- 

 ing of grass, heather, broom, ferns, &c. This is 

 much sought after as bedding for animals and as 

 manure. It is bought up under the name of soutrage 

 [German, Streunutzung] at an average price of 5d. 

 a cart-load (about thirty seven cubic feet). An acre 

 yields from two to five such loads. 



The removal of the scrub is evidently a loss to the 

 soil of the forest, as it prevents the formation of 

 mould. But it facilitates the movements of the 

 resin-tappers, and above all diminishes the chances 

 of forest fires, which make great ravages in those 



