THINNING. 



177 



and throw out their principal branches to the sides 

 where they have free space. We often see two 

 trees nearly close together, and their branches en- 

 tangled on one side, but, having full scope in other 

 directions, attain a very large size. 



When the trees grow to such a size that the thin- 

 nings become susceptible of application to any use- 

 ful purpose, it may happen, in extensive plantations, 

 that the number necessary to be cut down at a time 

 will be more than can be brought to an advanta- 

 geous market in one season. When this happens, 

 the following plan will be found convenient : — 



Cut off all the branches of the trees, with the ex- 

 ception of a few at the top, which require to be dis- 

 placed, but for which there is no immediate sale, 

 and leave them standing. This trimming will have 

 the eflPect of admitting the air nearly as effectually 

 as actual removal ; and the trees thus treated can 

 be cut down gradually, as purchasers make their ap- 

 pearance. 



In plantations where deciduous trees constitute 

 the principal crop, and firs have been introduced 

 merely as nurses, a considerable number of the lat- 

 ter will have reached nearly their full size before it 

 be necessary to remove them. In such circum- 

 stances, the cutting of them down is an operation 



M 



