170 



MANAGEMENT OF WOODS. 



They can scarce be used without barking the stem, 

 and they make rough unsightly wounds, and the per- 

 cussion unavoidable in working them has very delete- 

 rious effects. 



Among the other errors committed with respect 

 to pruning, is that of being too loDg of beginning 

 the operation. It is often never thought of till the 

 trees are sixteen or twenty years old, by which means 

 a great part of the advantage to be derived from it 

 is irretrievably lost. It ought to commence even in 

 the nursery, if the plants remain there more than 

 four years ; and at whatever age they are removed to 

 their final destination, it should never be delayed 

 longer than five years after such removal. In begin- 

 ning the process so soon, very few branches will, in 

 any instance, require to be displaced. In most cases 

 not above two or three, in many, not more than one 

 will be taken off ; and in extensive plantations, not a 

 few of the trees may be found, at this early period, 

 in such a backward state as will induce the skilful 

 forester to let them remain as they are, till a future 

 opportunity. It does not, however, follow, that 

 though little may require to be done, the doing of 

 it will be of no use, or that the leaving of it undone 

 will be productive of no injury. When many bran- 

 ches require to be displaced at once, it may always 



