168 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



as that the tops could not touch one another, and to cut 

 away the side branches within about three or three and a 

 half feet of the surface. Bj this treatment it will be 

 perceived that a considerable deal of air was admitted 

 into the plantations. The light, which before had had 

 access only at the top, was now equall}' diffused on all 

 sides ; and the trees, although for a few years they 

 advanced but little in height, made surprising efforts 

 towards a full development of their most important pro- 

 perties. They acquired greater strength of stem, greater 

 thickness of bark and extension of roots, together with a 

 corresponding amplitude of top and branches. 



But at this time it was apparent that the clumps had a 

 remarkable advantage over the belt, or continuous planta- 

 tion. While in no part so deep as to impede the salutary 

 action of the atmosphere, the circular or oval figure of the 

 clumps, and their free exposure to the elements, furnished 

 them with a far greater proportion of good outside trees ; 

 and these, having acquired from the beginning a consi- 

 derable share of the protecting properties, were in a situa- 

 tion to shelter the rest, and also to prevent the violence 

 of the wind from injuriously acting on the interior of the 

 mass. It therefore became necessary to thin the belt for 

 the second time, which was now done to double distance ; 

 that is to say, to such a distance as would have admitted 

 of a similar number of trees to stand between the existing 

 plants. Thus, within four or five years after the first 

 thinning, I began to have tolerable subjects for removal ' 

 to situations of moderate exposure ; while every succeed- 

 ing season added fresh beauty and vigour to these thriving 

 nurseries, and made a visible accession to all the desirable 

 prerequisites. 



It is deserving of remark in this place, that no second 

 thinning of these clumps was necessary, although on ordi- 



