Thinning Plantations. 627 



see one of the finest streets in the world horribly disfigured by 

 a heterogeneous mass of trees crowding upon each other in 

 endless confusion. Oak, elm, ash, poplars, birch, maple, beech, 

 lime, and laburnum appear in a sort of medley too monotonous 

 to show anything like variety. 



In the olden time, indeed, such was the common mode of 

 forming plantations, implying a tacit confession on the part of 

 the planter that he did not clearly understand what kinds of 

 trees were most suitable for the soil and situation, leaving the 

 trees to determine that point, as being the best judges in the 

 matter; and, while the science of arboriculture was in its 

 infancy, the practice had at least the air of prudence supplying 

 the place of skill. In the neighbourhood of smoky towns, such 

 as " Auld Reekie," another element connected with the health 

 of plants had to be considered ; and here the range for obser- 

 vation and experience was, from the very nature of the locality, 

 much limited, which may account for the closely planted mix- 

 tures of trees in the squares and open spaces in Queen's Street 

 and the Nor' Loch ; but now that the trees have, for the most 

 part, proved by their healthy appearance and vigorous growth 

 that they stand in a congenial soil and climate, unscathed by 

 smoke or sooty particles, it is high time that something decisive 

 should immediately be set about, to render those plantations, 

 which at present form an eyesore to every practised eye, an 

 ornament to the town, and an example of ornament and utility 

 to the country. The necessary operations would afford useful 

 employment to a few of those labourers who are at present in 

 want of work ; and, what must recommend it to the authorities 

 concerned, the proceeds would likely more than pay the labour 

 in the mean time. This would place the plantations in question 

 in such a position as to insure, what must have been originally 

 intended, proper specimens of trees in their natural form; and 

 also, where that was an object, properly trained specimens of 

 trees for producing timber. 



If it be asked how all this is to be effected, I would say, in 

 the first place, let a properly qualified person (and surely there 

 are many such among Scotsmen, who would give their services, 

 either gratis or on very easy terms, for so laudable an object) 

 select and mark all trees that should ultimately stand for re- 

 serves. In doing this he would mark, at proper distances, such 

 trees as would appear to him best suited for standing, whether 

 to form objects of ornament or utility, timber trees or trees of 

 natural form, in such places as might be fixed on by those in 

 authority. In making his selections he would be able, from 

 the present crowded and mixed state of the trees, to throw the 

 whole into distinct masses of every genus by itself; the masses 

 blending harmoniously into each other. The individual trees 



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