I So FOREST PLANTATIONS. [JtffZ. 



terwards to fmooth the edges of the bark with the 

 knife. 



The above obfervations only refpeft the prun- 

 ing of Deciduous trees. In regard to the treat- 

 ment of Larch and Fir trees, planted in groves or 

 maffes (in which fituations only they fhould be 

 planted for timber trees), we have been particu- 

 lar in the preceding article for this month ; to 

 which we beg leave to refer the reader. We 

 fhall only here obferve, that the pruning of 

 thefe kinds ought not to be commenced before 

 their tenth or twelfth year;, and that only one, 

 or at the moil two, tiers of branches mould be 

 removed in a feafon. Thefe ought to be cut 

 clofe in to the quick, as advifed above for the 

 Deciduous kinds. Too much care cannot be taken 

 never to. leave either pieces of the branches fo 

 pruned oiF, or dead branches, upon larches or 

 firs ; more efpeciaily the Scots Fir, becaufe thefe 

 trees are more apt to produce dead branches than 

 any of the other forts generally planted. The 

 leaders, both of the firs of all forts, and of the 

 krches, fhould be carefully kept fmgle. 



THINNING OUT PLANTATIONS* 



The properly thinning out of plantations h a 

 matter of the very firft importance in their cul- 

 ture. However much attention be paid to the 



article 



