On p; uning Forest Tree*. 311 



the stem, deforms the tree ; and though it may not affect the 

 soundness of the timber, it certainly deteriorates its quality 

 for many purposes of the builder. 



Chelsea, Feb. 20. 



The foregoing article we consider by far the most valuable that has 

 appeared in this Magazine, on the subject upon which it treats, and it may 

 be considered as an earnest of the value of the work (great part of which 

 we have seen in manuscript) from which it is taken. Mr. Main, as a practical 

 man, and whether exercising his talents and taste as a landscape-gardener, 

 or his science and skill as a forest-pruner, has the great advantage of 

 possessing a thorough knowledge of vegetable physiology, and, at the same 

 time, of having had very extensive practice in every department of garden- 

 ing and rural affairs. We request those interested in the subject of his 

 present paper, whether gardeners and foresters, or their employers, to fix 

 firmly in their minds Mr. Main's concluding direction, that branches should 

 be cut off close to the bole before they are above 1 in. in diameter; and 

 also to observe his remark, that, if this is done m spring, or just before 

 midsummer, the wound will be entirely or nearly healed over in the same 

 season (p. 309.). Let it also never be forgotten, that all wounds which are 

 not healed over in the first season leave defects in the timber (p. 304.). 

 Had forest-pruners forty years ago been aware of these facts, and acted 

 on them, the trees pruned about that time, and now felling, would have sold 

 at a very different price from what they are now selling for. 



Great advantages have resulted in Fifeshire, from the employment of 

 Mr. Sang (the editor, or rather author, of the last edition of Nicol's 

 Planter'' s Calendar, and a correct physiologist) as an inspector of plant- 

 ations. We could wish to see our much-esteemed friend, Mr. Main, add 

 to his profession of landscape-gardener, that of inspector of plantations in 

 England ; for certain we are, that there is no man in the kingdom better 

 qualified for the office. Did we possess extensive plantations, we should 

 send for Mr. Main (whose charge, we believe, as a landscape-gardener, is 

 two guineas a day and expenses), and" employ him for two or three days 

 to instruct our forester in the proper methods of thinning and pruning. 

 We would afterwards arrange with him (say for 10/., 201., or 30/. per 

 annum, according to circumstances), to pay us a professional visit, at least, 

 once every year in the pruning season. We know there are some foresters 

 who would object to this sort of interference, and we know also that there 

 are some who understand their business so well as to render it unnecessary; 

 but the owners of plantations may rest assured of this, that those foresters 

 who understand their business best, will rather feel pleased than otherwise, 

 at the idea their works being subjected to the examination of a scientific 

 man who can duly appreciate their merits. 



In conclusion, we repeat what ought to be the forest-pruner's golden 

 rules : — No branches to be cut off which do not interfere with the leader; 

 no wound, thus or otherwise made, to be larger than an inch in diameter; 

 and no pruning in autumn. ■ — Cond. 



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