170 FOREST PLANTATIONS. [Jan. 



performed, being of the utmoft confequence to 

 the immediate and future welfare of the trees, too 

 much care can hardly be beftowed upon it : Nor 

 mould he who performs his part well, if diligent, 

 be chid for doing too little. 



OF PRUNING FOREST PLANTATIONS. 



The proper pruning of foreft plantations is cer* 

 tainly an object of high importance, both to the 

 proprietor and to the Nation at large, as the qua- 

 lity of the timber much depends on it. Thereby 

 the vegetative powers of the trees are directed to, 

 and continued in, their proper channel. The un- 

 necefiary wafle of their growth is prevented ; and 

 timber of far fuperior quality, and trees of far 

 greater beauty, are procured. 



To fecure thefe advantages, it is however ne- 

 ceflary to prune betimes, or rather to commence 

 pruning at the infancy of the trees, and thence- 

 forward to continue it at intervals of one, or at 

 mod two years. If the pruning of young foreft 

 trees is performed only at intervals of eight or ten 

 years, the growth is unnecefTarily thrown away, 

 and wounds are inflicled which will ever after re- 

 main blemishes in the timber ; whereas if the fu- 

 perfluous or competing branches had been remov- 

 ed 



