MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 115 



The reporter would suggest that a memorial from the landed 

 proprietors of the county be presented to the Drainage Commis- 

 sioners for England and Wales, setting forth the peculiar geolo- 

 gical formation of the county, and the great capability of its 

 soil for improvement, and crave a relaxation of their rule jis to 

 depth of drainage works. The minimum depth to be 18 inches, 

 with the tile completely sunk in the lock at that depth. If this 

 boon were granted, agriculture would take a fresh start, and 

 thousands of acres now lying in an unproductive condition, would 

 be brought to contribute to the wealth and prosperity of the 

 county. 



REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 

 Bj C. Y. Michie, Forester, Duthill, Carr Bridge. 



Premium — £10. 



The statistics of Scotland give nearly 414,000 acres as the extent 

 of ground under wood cultivation, being an area approaching to that 

 annually under turnip crop. An inquiry by the Highland and 

 Agricultural Society was therefore very naturally instituted as to 

 the produce of the lands so employed, the purposes to which it 

 is applied, and the pecuniary returns yielded to the proprietor. So 

 far as the limits of this paper will admit, and reliable statements 

 are possessed by the writer, he will endeavour to supply such 

 information. 



The increasing substitution of iron for wood in ship- 

 building and other important works, has the effect of keeping- 

 down the price of the best quality of timber,- though at the same 

 time the demand is steady, if not considerably on the increase, 

 for second-rate timber, required for general purposes. The 

 price of timber, like that of other products of the soil, is subject 

 to variation, occasioned by various causes. When mining opera- 

 tions receive an impetus at any time, the effect is an increased 

 demand, and an upward tendency in the price. On the other 

 hand, when a gale of wind occurs, as was the case on 3rd October, 

 1860, and on 13th February, 1864, the market becomes over- 

 stocked. So, also, when ti'ade is affected, vessels take timber 

 as a return freight, thus affording an extra supply of foreign 

 wood, and depressing the market price for home growth. 



In collecting special information upon the true value of wood 

 as a crop, many difficulties are presented, amongst which we 

 would especially notice two — viz., 



First, The inaccuracy, or rather the indefinite manner, of 



