144 



CHAPTER III. 



HOW THINNING PINE AND FIK PLANTATIONS 

 SHOULD BE DONE. 



One of the largest Scots pine plantations in Strati 

 spey, originally planted with about 2000 trees to tl 

 acre, or say 4^ feet apart, the object of which is t 

 grow heavy mature timber of first-class quality in tl 

 most profitable way. Such plantations are recon 

 mended to be thinned to about 800 trees per acre i 

 J;he crop. 



The first thinning is recommended to be done whe 

 the general crops are from 4 to 6 feet high, and pre 

 bably six to eight years old. A good woodman : 

 able at that stage of growth to thin an acre, less c 

 more, in two days, at a cost of 5 s. to 6 s. per acr 

 The thinnings may be counted as of no money valu 

 because ,if cleared out they are not worth more tha 

 the cost of the labour. The plantation, thus one 

 thinned, need not of necessity ever again be thinne 

 but may grow till ripe for cutting and clearing. 



Some of the most profitable pieces of Scots pii 

 woods and plantations in the kingdom are tho! 

 (whether by accident or kitention) that have bee 

 grown on these or similar principles. 



This primary thinning is best done when the wori 



