556 Disease in Larch Plantations. 



rings sound, until age brings about that natural decay to 

 which every vegetable body is liable. From this, may vv^e 

 not conclude that it is imprudent to plant out larches before 

 they shall have attained a considerable age and size ? Or is 

 there any thing irrational in the idea of checking the vege- 

 tative energies of larch in its youth ? and, as it is an exotic, 

 compel it, as it were, to accommodate itself to the climate ; 

 that, by depositing a moderate annual layer for the first ten 

 years, such as our season can ripen, a firm and healthy 

 nucleus for future depositions may be secured, when the ca- 

 pabilities afforded by nature for perfecting the system would 

 be developed, and the process of formation completed. 



I only farther observe, at present, that another means of 

 promoting rapid growth is density of planting ; or, I should 

 rather say, that of allowing plantations to grow up in an 

 over-crowded state : of the evil of which every planter pro- 

 fesses to be aware, and yet which every planter is in the habit 

 of too long neglecting. Some hold the opinion that woods 

 should be allowed to thin themselves, as is the case with the 

 Norwegian forests. With trees indigenous to the country, 

 this may be all very well ; but it is questionable whether this 

 be the proper mode of treating exotics. Besides, the greatest 

 possible number, on the smallest possible space, is certainly 

 not the surest way to secure the greatest possible return, as 

 the actual state of many plantations show : and hence the 

 propriety of judicious thinning in every instance, whether 

 the trees be indigenous or exotic. Judicious management, 

 however, circumstanced as we at present are, need not be 

 expected. Individuals may recommend any system of ma- 

 nagement they please ; but, such is the aversion which gen- 

 tlemen have in general to apply the axe to the most worthless 

 trees, that, unless a system having the sanction of some regu- 

 larly constituted body is given them, they will never have 

 confidence to act. Here, then, is the necessity for a national 

 sylvan society. 



I am. Sir, yours, &c. 

 Brechin Nursery, June, 1833. James Munro. 



Mr. E. Murphy has offered, in Vol. VII. p. 295—298., 

 some* remarks which may be read with advantage, in con- 

 nection with Mr. Munro's valuable communication ; as may 

 a paper in the Quart. Journ. of Agr. for September last, on 

 the subject, by our correspondent G. I. T., the author of the 

 Dom. Gard. Man. We recommend both to Mr. Munro, and 

 hope that, after reading them, he will continue his communi- 

 cations to us on this important subject. — Cond. 



