FOREST PLANTATIONS. \_SepL 



left flngle ; nor would it be pofiible to reduce 

 them into proper fhape. 



The firil operation necefTary in the prefent cafe, 

 is to go over the whole plantation or foreft, and 

 mark, by a daub of white paint, or fome fuch 

 contrivance, the trees intended as the principals, 

 or future crop. After having determined on thefe, 

 cut out fuch a number of the others as the cir- 

 Qumftances of the cafe will admit ; being careful 

 rather to thin too little than too much ; Such as 

 are removed mould be cut a few inches below the 

 furface : Return and prune the principals, but 

 with a very fparing hand ; lopping off as few 

 branches by the bole as poflible for the prefent : 

 Shorten the competing branches down to a frefh 

 lateral, being careful not to reduce the top too 

 much ; nor, indeed, any farther for this time, 

 than to give the leader the afcendancy. 



The fecond or third feafon following, it will be 

 proper to go over the plantation again ; thinning 

 out a further part of fuch as were left as tempo- 

 raries, and pruning the principals farther into 

 fhape; being careful to remove as many of the part- 

 ly amputated, contending leaders, clofe by the Item, 

 as the cafe will allow. 



In two or three more years, it may, with proper 

 attention, be poflible to reduce the plantation into 

 order, without farther danger from the wind. 

 At this age, namely, about thirty years, the trees 



may 



