The Ash. 



many of the numerous uses that Ash timber is applied to. 

 Finally, if you choose that this acre should become a plan- 

 tation of Ash trees of lofty stature, you have only, when you 

 cut your poles, to leave one standing upon about every 

 ten square feet; and, if these should be found to be in a few 

 years time, too near to each other, you have only, in pro- 

 portion as they are in danger of becoming too crowded, to 

 cut part of them out. Those that remained, would subdue 

 all the stems that were under them ; but still there would 

 be some underwood, and though of an inferior description, 

 would much more than pay all the expenses of keeping the 

 plantation pruned and fenced. 



127- In whatever way, however, the plantation be made, 

 and with whatever view, the plants ought to be cut down 

 nearly to the ground, the next year after they have been 

 planted 3 that is to say, if planted in the fall, or in the spring, 

 they ought to be cut down in the succeeding spring, and in 

 the month of April. If planted in the spring of this year, they 

 ought to be cut down in the month of April next year 5 

 and if planted in the last fall, they ought still not to be cut 

 down until they would have been cut down, if they had 

 been planted in the spring. In other words, and for fear of 

 being misunderstood on this point, they ought to have the 

 growth of one summer, before they be cut down. 



128. As to pruning, very few trees want less of it than the 

 Ash, which naturally grows very straight, sends out no con- 

 siderable limbs till it gets to the height of twenty or 

 thirty feet, and is very little subject to rot and to grow hol- 

 low, from the breaking or the tearing of its branches or 

 limbs. By planting the trees close together, particularly at 

 the first, you insure straightness, and also an absence of side 

 shoots of any size. The plants draw each other up in a 



