lO 



Care should be taken not to open up the stand too much, but 

 to maintain a complete crown cover for the forest floor, so far 

 as it is possible. If top many of the trees are removed, the stand 

 is subjected to several dangers, for if the protection afforded by 

 the surrounding trees is suddenly removed, the trees are much 

 more subject to be thrown or broken by the wind during severe 

 storms. The exposure of the soil to drying by wind and sun is 

 also increased, and even if the trees are not affected by any of 

 these causes, they are apt to become branchy and of poor form 

 for merchantable logs. 



Pruning: Pruning the live branches of white pine or of coni- 

 fers in general is never advisable since it is not only an economic 

 waste but is often positively injurious. 



The pruning of dead branches does no harm to the tree, but 

 ir is seldom advisable. In fully stocked stands this process is 

 taken care of by nature, and it is not necessary if the pine is to 

 be cut for box-boards, pail, or match-stock. The expense of 

 the operation may, however, sometimes be warranted if the tim- 

 ber is to be grown for the purpose of producing saw-timber at 

 the age of from 70 to 80 years. In such cases pruning is usually 

 done when the stand is from 25 to 40 years old. The branches 

 should be cut off smooth and as near the main stem as possible 

 without injuring the bark of the stem. They may be cut with an 

 upward blow of an axe or marking hatchet, and are usually re- 

 moved about as far up on the stem of the tree as a man can 

 conveniently reach. 



Thinning: Methods of thinning are shown in the illustra- 

 tions. The descriptions and the figures follow. 



