CHAP. CXJII.

CONl'l-'EKTE. iA'RIX.

2381

or centre of the trunk, and the origin of a branch ; b the part which was theoutside of the tree when the branch died, and likewise some remains of thewoody part of the branch. The dark space from c to c is the cavity made inthe wood by enclosing the branch with the bark upon it, after it was dead ;“ part of the bark still remaining in it, as the saw has accidentally gone ex-actly in the line between that and the wood. If we count the annual circlesof the wood, or curved lines, we find it remained in that state at least 32 yearsupon the tree; but how much longer we cannot say, as the wood has not allthe sap wood left upon it. It must have been sound all the time, otherwise thepressure of the wood, in enclosing, would have displaced it ; and, from itssize, it could not be otherwise than mostly of sap wood. It is also worthyof remark, that the board is from the root end of the tree ; the situation ofthe branch having evidently been within 1 ft. of the ground, and, of course,more exposed to moisture than one more elevated.” ( Forest Primer, p. 72.)

In the Highland Society's Transactions, vol. xii. p. 141., published in December,1837, is a digest of five essays on the pruning of forest trees, sent to theSociety by well-known practical writers. On the pruning of the Conifera;generally, these writers seem to differ considerably in opinion ; the majorityappearing to think as we do, that no branch ought to be cut off till it begins toshow indications of decay. On the subject of the larch, Mr. Grigor of Forres,a communication from whom has already been given, p. 2181., has the fol-lowing observations : —

“ The larch may be pruned with advantage at the time it sheds its leaves.As it naturally advances in a fine figure, pruning is unnecessary until it attainsa height of from 10 ft. to 14 ft. The strongest of the lateral branches shouldthen be regularly lopped off, about 2 ft. from the stem, with a pruning knife orbill. In two years after, these should be removed close to the stem, andthose farthest advanced in size among the upper branches should be shortenedas above described, it not being safe to allow those most vigorous to be atonce cut off close by the trunk. In this manner the tiers should be gone overevery two years. The healthiest larches produce cones sparingly. Nothingmarks the little progress of growth more than a great crop of seed; and whenonce the growth is impeded by such, the tree commonly continues to yieldabundantly. In such cases, pruning is particularly advantageous. In exposedplaces the tree should not be wholly cleared of branches to a certain height.The weakest should be allowed to remain, which serves to keep the tree moresteady in rough weather” ( Highland Soc. Trans., xii. p. 162.). Mr. Gorrie,speaking of the pine and fir tribe generally, says that pruning may be venturedon in open situations, where length and soundness of stem are required; butthat no branch intended to be pruned off, for the purpose of producing a clearstem, should be allowed to exceed £ in. in diameter. Mr. Gorrie adds thisimportant remark : “ When trees of the pine and fir tribe that have been thusattended to in their growth are sawn into deal, the wounds have decayed andpresent a fresh and compressed bird’s-eye-like appearance.” ( Ibid .)

Bending and kneeing the Larch for Ship Timber. This practice has been ur-gently recommended by Mr. Matthew; who says that, in all larch plantationson proper soil, not too far advanced, a proportion of the trees intended toremain as standards should be bent. The operation, he says, should becommenced when the plants are 3 ft. high, or upwards. The plants, the firstseason, should be bent to an angle of from 40° to 60° with the horizon; andthe next brought down from 10° to 6°, or lower, according to the size of theplant, or the curve required. The same practice of bending the larch, and forthe same objects, has been recommended by Billington, ourselves, and variousothers. Billington recommends tying the trees to one another, or to stakesdriven firmly into the ground ; and South, in the Bath Society's Transactions,Monteath, Pontey, &c., recommend bending by the proximity of other largertrees with spreading heads, which are to be afterwards cut away. For exampleunder the spreading branches of an elm, willow, or poplar, of ten or twelveyears’ growth, plant four or five larches at equal distances from one another,