360 



MEANS OF SPEEDY WOODING 



said, that a plantation in which the earth is fre- 

 quently stirred, and the weeds destroyed, will make 

 as much progress in seven years, as another placed 

 in equally favourable circumstances, with the excep- 

 tion that this work is neglected, will do in seven- 

 teen. This may be going beyond the truth ; but 

 nothing is more certain than that the operation now 

 recommended will prove in the highest degree be- 

 neficial. 



Dry weather should be cliosen for the hoeing, as 

 it is then that the weeds can be killed most readily, 

 and that the stirring of the earth is most beneficial 

 to the trees. The common hoe should be used, and 

 none but expert and careful workmen should be 

 employed. The trees must not be touched ; for, if 

 their bark be ruffled or peeled off, it were better that 

 the weeds were left without molestation. 



Pruning must be performed in the same sparing 

 and gradual manner as has already been directed. 

 With regard, however, to such of the poplars, &c. as 

 are merely intended to make a show till the slow 

 growers are of a stature to render them no longer 

 necessary, the knife may be used more freely when- 

 ever their branches interfere with the latter. So 

 long indeed as severe pruning of the supernumera- 

 ries can be made to answer the purpose of admitting 



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