136 REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND VALUE OF POPLAR. 



taming 107 cubic feet, which realised L.3, lis. =8d. per cubic 

 foot. At a public sale at Cullen House, Banffshire, in September 

 186(3, some white Egyptian and black Italian poplars were sold, 

 which realised 8d. per cubic foot. At a public sale near Dal- 

 keith, in April 1866, a tree of the black poplar species was sold, 

 which realised L.3, 15s., or Is. 3d. per foot. Other instances 

 might be cited, but being of a similar nature, are withheld as un- 

 necessary. 



At the above sales no preference seemed to be given to one 

 species more than another, provided the tree was sound. Let it 

 be remembered that the black, black Italian, and large-leaved 

 Abele (Pojmhts argentea) are the soundest — the balsam, Ontario, 

 and aspen being frequently ring-shaken, or perforated with a 

 species of grub. As we have seen, the value of the poplar is 

 great, and the purposes to which it is applied are numerous and 

 always on the increase, the demand much exceeding the supply. 



In conclusion, we may observe that in order to grow poplar, 

 so as to secure the greatest amount of available wood, the follow- 

 ing rule should be attended to : — Let the tree, of whatever species, 

 have a girth corresponding with its height — that is, have as many 

 inches in girth at the surface of the ground as it has feet in height. 

 By thinning and pruning, the power lies very much in the hands 

 of the operator to make the tree what he pleases. Let this power 

 of directing the course and inclination of the tree be exercised 

 as soon as possible; for, to use an old proverb, "just as the twig 

 is bent the tree inclines." 



The following remarks conclude our subject : — Poplar should 

 only be planted upon such soils as receive the roots freely. Loose 

 soil, though poor, is better for poplar than retentive soil of better 

 quality. The rate of growth will always depend upon the 

 facility with which the plant derives its nourishment. All 

 thinning of poplar should be effected when it is young, and never 

 continued after the branches drop off from decay. One principal 

 point is, to secure as many lateral branches as possible upon the 

 young tree, and direct their course. The rapidity of growth, 

 soundness of wood, and size of the tree, depends almost entirely 

 upon the quantity of branches. If properly clothed with these, 

 it should make layers of wood £ of an inch thick, and be a source 

 of profit to the proprietor upon clay land greater than can be 

 derived from any other species of tree. 



