136 THE REARING OF 



heave them running in rows, but in such an alter- 

 nate manner that, which way soever the eve can look 

 from any given point, there may be always a tree to 

 intercept the view within a short distance : and tliis, 

 indeed, is a point of the utmost importance in the art 

 of thinning plantations, and can only be attained by 

 careful observation and experience. If open spaces 

 be left for any considerable distance, the wind gets 

 play among the trees, and has a tendency to cause 

 havoc among them, particularly after being newly 

 thinned, and more so if the plantation has been 

 formerly neglected. As soon as the young trees 

 which Avere marked to come out have been cut 

 down, they should be carried out entire to one of 

 the nearest roads in the plantation, and pruned of 

 their branches there. This is not, indeed, always 

 done ; but still it ought to be the method of going 

 to work among young trees, the health of which 

 requires, for its maintenance, free circulation of 

 pure air among them. I have often had occasion 

 to remark that plantations in a young state are 

 much benefited by having a dry wholesome air cir- 

 culating through them ; and being aware of this 

 fact, it must appear evident, that if the prunings of 

 the felled trees be allowed to he upon the ground 

 when they are cut, the gases arising from their 

 natural decomposition must prove injurious to the 

 health of the standing trees. And this, I have had 

 occasion to observe, is particularly the case when 



