IGli TRANSACTION'S OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and spi'inging up again from the old stools. The old oaks con- 

 tain on an average from 40 to 70 cubic feet. This wood has been 

 ^vorked ui:)on the copi)ice principle. There are several miles of 

 fine drives through it in various directions. 



10. Bradfield Plantation. 



An extensive tract of moorland extending to about 1800 acres. 

 This district lies at an altitude of about 900 feet above sea-level, 

 and part of it is exposed to the blast from all directions. The 

 soil is chiefly of a sandy nature, but in an extensive area like 

 this the soil varies greatly. A ravine traverses a great portion 

 of the wood, and upon the slopes, on both of its sides, the trees 

 have done well. 



The first planting was begun here in 1817 with 45 acres, and 

 the whole extent was finished in 1830. The crop is principally 

 larch and Scots fir, with a few spruce. The earliest planted parts 

 ai-e fast coming to maturity, hundreds of trees dying off every 

 year. We are now contemplating clearing it off in sections, and 

 replanting. 



An experiment was tried here in a part where the soil is 

 deepest and best. Aboiit 40 acres were sown with oak acorns ; 

 these have grown, but never attained to any size or value. The 

 largest trees after 60 years' growth may contain from three to 

 four cubic feet, whilst many of the larch grown beside them^ 

 contain 25 feet of wood. This has been a very profitable invest- 

 ment for the owner, as the land is chiefly moor, and of very little 

 value for any other purpose. The larch grown here has the 

 reputation of being very tough and durable. It has been mostly 

 sold at one shilling per foot, at a distance of nine miles from a 

 railway station or the nearest market. The whole of this wood 

 is enclosed with a substantial stone wall. 



Management. 



I cannot say that the woods upon this estate have been 

 managed upon the most scientific principles, still they will com- 

 pare favoiirably with most other extensive woodlands in the 

 district. 



The woods No. 7, 8, and 9, mentioned in this report, have been 

 treated as coppice woods, or, as they are termed in the district, 

 " spring woods." The routine of management of these woods is 



