54 



In the third, fourth, or fifth year, according to their growth, all the 

 plants, except those joined in groups and the isolated tall trees, are cut 

 down to the ground in order that they may grow up as spreading 

 bushes instead of single stems. Nothing is left of the whole plantation 

 therefore, but the groups and tall trees marked by circles and crosses 

 on the diagram. The former only require simple pruning in order to 

 produce a dense growth. The copse now resembles Fig. 2. 



During the following years the copse develops by means of the new 



Fig. 3. SHELTER-WOOD AFTER THE SECOND CUTTING. 



shoots to an impenetrable thicket, fenced in by a very thick hedge of 

 wild roses. It, therefore, once more resembles Fig. 1. 



Many people think enough has been done, and that the copse, in 

 which, perhaps, a few nests are already to be found, is finished. They 

 think the plants may now grow in wild confusion. But the contrary 

 is the case. The copse derives its full value from correct pruning. 

 In the sixth, seventh, or, if the soil is very poor, in the eighth year, 

 the dense copse must again be cut down, but now isolated bushes, 

 which may be called stock-bushes, are left at intervals of five or six 

 paces, and their numerous sprouts are lopped at varying heights 



