WHY PRUNE ? 217 



As pine and fir plantations are usually depastured by 

 sheep or cattle, after the trees are sufficiently advanced 

 by the vital branches being beyond their reach — and 

 nothing contributes more to the comfort of the animals, 

 especially sheep, as that of clearing off all ragged, 

 decayed branches to at least 8 feet from the ground, at 

 8d. to 9d. per 100 trees — not only is the value of 

 the plantation as grazing-ground enhanced by remov- 

 ing all decayed branches that would otherwise catch 

 the wool of the sheep and injure the skins of the cattle, 

 but a free current of air is thereby allowed to waft 

 through the expanse, alike healthful and invigorating 

 to both trees, flocks, and pasture. The air admitted 

 by removal of the dead branches sometimes contri- 

 butes to the welfare of the trees, and sometimes to 

 their injury — all depending upon the exposure, extent 

 of plantation, and the nature of the soil in which they 

 grow. If soft and clayey, the advantage to the trees 

 is considerable ; but if dry and gravelly, injury rather 

 than benefit is incurred. 



Coniferse that are grown thickly together in their 

 natural conditions should receive attention in their 

 earlier years, to prevent any tendency to decline from 

 the balance between branch and stem, which a few 

 years' neglect makes restoration impossible. 



The removal of dead branches from all trees is so 

 manifestly desirable from all points of view, that one 

 would think little should require to be said in its 

 favour. Yet there are those who object to do so, on 

 the ground that it is totally unnecessary ; that the 

 finest timber, both at home and imported from the 

 natural forests of Northern Europe and America, had 

 never been pruned in any way. They forget, however, 

 that the circumstances that exist in our artificial 



