114 THE CANADIAN FORESTER'S 



the prairies of Manitoba which are intended for planta- 

 tions. 



It is important that young trees should be set very 

 near together. First, because they will thus occupj^ 

 the whole ground, and prevent the growth ot weeds, 

 diminishing thereby, considerably, the cost of hoeing ; 

 next, they, with their leaves, afford each other mutual 

 protection against drought, so injurious to young planta- 

 tions ; and, lastly, when there is an abundance of plants, 

 the proprietor can the more easily repair any failure 

 which may occur : blanks will occur in every planta- 

 tion. In fact, there will always be sufficient trees to 

 m.ake the new wood regular, if a much greater number 

 be planted than will be absolutely required to stand 

 when they have attained a certain height. 



Another, and, so to speak, the chief reason for close 

 planting is that, treated thus, trees are more likely to 

 produce a fine, straight growth. Fewer lateral branches 

 are put forth, and later, when the superfluous trees are 

 cut down, the wood will consist of a mass of lofty, erect 

 stems, furnishing excellent building timber. In plant- 

 ing thickly, we only copy nature. 



After many experiments, the planters in the States, 

 it seems, have come to the coiiclusion, that trees should 

 be set in rows four feet apart, with a space of two feet 

 between the trees in the rows. This would require four 

 thousand and fifty trees to the acre. Three years after 

 planting, every other tree is cut, and the remainder will 

 then stand four feet apart in every direction. Five or 

 six years having elapsed, the same proportion being 

 observed in thinning, the trees will be eight feet one 

 way, and four feet the other, apart. Twelve years from 

 planting, every other row is cut, and the trees will then 

 be eight feet distant from each other, every way. • The 



