Jan.~\ THINNING. 183 



any of the other kinds remain. For, befides that 

 this plant is admirably calculated to compofe part 

 of a beautiful mixture, it is excelled by few kinds, 

 perhaps by none, as a timber tree. 



But when the nurfes confift of inferior kinds, 

 fuch as the Mountain-dh and the Scots Fir, they 

 mould generally be all removed by the time that 

 the plantation arrives at the height of fifteen or 

 twenty feet, in order that the timber trees may 

 not, by their means, be drawn up too weak and 

 fiender. 



Before this time, it may probably be neceflary 

 to thin out a part of the other kinds. The leaffc 

 valuable, and the leaft thriving plants, mould firfl 

 be condemned, provided their removal occaiion 

 no blank or chafm ; but where this would hap- 

 pen, they mould be allowed to Hand till the next, 

 or other fubfequent revifion. 



At what diftance of time this revifion mould 

 take place, cannot eafily be determined ; as the 

 matter mufl very much depend on the circum- 

 ftances of foil, fhelter, and the flate of health hi 

 which the plants may be. In general, the third 

 feafon after will be foon enough \ and if the plan- 

 tation be from thirty to forty years old, and in a. 

 thriving ftate, it will require to be revifed again, 

 in moft cafes, within feven years. 



But one invariable rule ought to prevail in all 

 safes, and in all fituations ; to allow no plant to 



overtop 



