On the Planting of Forest- Trees. 293 



be proved by numerous instances botli of the sale of thinnings, and 

 in some cases, of the entire plant of half-grown trees, yet we have 

 no account of the total produce of any one plantation which has 

 been brought to maturity under good management, and the timber 

 finally sold. Indeed, since the commencement of planting upon 

 a large scale in this country, time has not elapsed sufficient for. so 

 complete a proof. Much important light might be thrown upon 

 this subject by authenticated reports of the plantations of the 

 Dukes of Athol, Portland, and Bedford/' and the Earl of Leices- 

 ter, which have now been in progress a sufficient number of years 

 to admit of correct conclusions on this head being drawn from 

 them. The success of such great examples, when known, would 

 besides have the effect of extending this beneficial branch of 

 cultivation. 



The great experience of the late Duke of Athol, by far the 

 most extensive planter in the United Kingdom, entitles him to the 

 highest confidence. In the reports of the Highland Society, are 

 numerous extracts from his Grace's memoranda respecting his 

 plantations at Dunkeld and Blair Athol, which exhibit in the 

 most striking manner the immense increase of property that might 

 be effected by planting. The Duke states, that the land upon 

 which his plantations were made was not originally worth more 

 than a rental of 9d. to Is. per acre, but such was the effect of the 

 amelioration of climate and the improvement of the soil produced 

 ^^y the trees, that at the end of thirty years the pasture under the 

 trees was worth lO^". per acre per annum, as he proved by a de- 

 cisive experiment. The rapid growth of larch timber, and the 

 produce of some sales from these estates, have been already 

 noticed in a former part of this paper. Encouraged by such ex- 

 perience, the Duke planted during the latter years of his life 

 6500 acres with larch only ; the last of these plantations were that 



* The proof-sheet of this Paper having been forwarded to his Grace the 

 Duke of Bedford by Mr. Hudson, the following memorandum was received 

 from Mr. Bennett, his Grace's steward : — 



" A plantation of fir, chiefly Scotch, with a few larch, was made about 

 the year 1780. Five years afterwards it was found in an indifferent state, 

 and was filled up and partially replanted. The soil is a black, heathy sand, 

 and was when planted of little or no value, producing only a little heath 

 and some furze. The average size of the thinnings were, — 

 In 1802 . . . 1 cubic foot each. 

 1812 ... 2 feet. 

 1822 ... 8 feet 

 1832 . . . 9ifeet. 

 "In 1841-2, six acres were entirely cut down; and the trees on the 

 remaining part averaged 2\^ feet — many of them containing 30 feet, and 

 upwards, to 50 feet of tim.ber. Thirty-six acres of the same plantation are 

 now standing, with a full crop of growing timber. The six acres which 

 were cleared were replanted with oak, ash, and larch." 



