496 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



8. Value of shootings during the existence of the plantations. 



9. Value, if any, of grazings, and for what period. 



10. Value of final cutting or standing crop. 



11. If replanted, state age, cost, and present value, including 



grazings and shootings, if any. 



12. Value of shelter to arable land, and how many acres sheltered. 

 It was stated that all replies would be treated confidentially; 



but notwithstanding this, only a few were returned filled up. 

 A good many were returned partially filled up. Questions 

 Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 were left blank, indicating that no infor- 

 mation could be given on these points. The greater portion of 

 the circulars have not been returned. 



From the replies received, it is quite evident that even with 

 very ordinary management the planting of timber has been 

 fairly remunerative, from a purely financial point of view. 

 What, then, could be expected from a proper system of sylvi- 

 culture, except that planting would be a paying concern 1 



It has been indicated that woods, or at all events belts of 

 wood, pay indirectly; such belts and limited areas of planted 

 timber having direct and very beneficial influence upon adjacent 

 agricultural lands, and thereby increasing their rental. More 

 especially is this the case in pastoral districts, even though they 

 be not high-lying nor excessively exposed. There are numerous 

 instances in Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Perthshire, and other 

 counties, where the value of such plantations is proved by the 

 rent within the area so belted or wooded being higher by 50 per 

 cent., and sometimes even more, than that of better land in the 

 vicinity unsheltered by woods. This increase in the rent is due 

 to the fact that the pasture comes earlier, remains later, and is 

 not so readily burnt or scorched by the dry spring and summer 

 winds. Cattle can be put earlier to grass, and can remain on it 

 longer in the autumn than upon equally good or even better 

 land which is not so sheltered from cold winds. Such sheltered 

 lands are also veiy suitable for the wintering of sheep, and this, 

 of course, increases their value to the grazier. The increase in 

 rent thus caused is, however, very rarely credited to the woods 

 in the estate accounts. To show clearly how this works out in 

 practice, one instance only need be given. Let us take an estate 

 in the south of Scotland, where land is valuable. This estate is 

 a good example, because all the details are given. For con- 

 venience, we shall assume that the land has been bought out- 



