36S Method of ascertaining the Value 



between forty-six and sixty years of age > according as (be- 

 boles are shorter or longer. 



But it being generally allowed that oak trees, of a size 

 fit for the navy, require to grow from eighty to one hundred 

 and fifty years, according to the quality of the soil, and it 

 is so stated in the eleventh report of the commissioners ap- 

 pointed to inquire into the state and condition of the woods, 

 forests, and land revenues of the crown ; I have therefore 

 been calculating tables, showing what the proportionably 

 advanced prices should be, at different periods, up to one 

 hundred and fifty years, to pay the proprietors for letting 

 their trees stand to those periods. These prices, especially 

 at the later periods, very greatly exceed any that have ever 

 been given. It certainly has been much the interest of the 

 growers of oak timber to fell it at about sixty years of age, 

 even if they replant the same ground. To let it stand to one 

 hundred and twenty years of age, and sell it at the present 

 prices, their loss would exceed double the whole value of 

 the timber at sixty years of age. Nothing short of a suf- 

 ficient price will long command a sufficient supply. Owing 

 to too low prices, the quantity of large timber on private 

 estates has long been rapidly decreasing ; and it will be too 

 late to commence offering reasonable prices for it when it is 

 all gone, and no oaks left of greater growth than sixty years. 

 To have to wait their growing the second sixty years, may 

 bring upon us evils exceeding all calculation. 



Valuations made in Oct<-her, 1807, of several Plantations 

 in Staffordshire. 



The valuations were made of the trees growing within the 

 space of a chain square, being the tenth part of an acre, of 

 the medium growth of each plantation. 



In the plantation by the mill wall there are now growing 

 within twenty-two yards square, as under, viz. 



£. s. d. £. s. <?. 



70 oak trees, containing 175 



feet, at 3*. 3d. 19 13 9 



1 200 of oak bark, at 1 L 2s. 7 4 



'20 17 9 or, per acre, 268 17 



The 



