NOTE ON WORKING-PLAN FOR CHOPWELL WOODS. 63 



The new crops will largely consist of coniferous species, oak 

 being planted in exceptionally suitable localities only. Larch 

 will be planted on the best naturally-drained loamy soils. Scots 

 pine will be used on the poorest soils, in some parts together 

 with black pine. Corsican pine will be used to a fairly large 

 extent in the north-western division. Spruce will be planted 

 to a limited extent in moist, peaty hollows. Sitka spruce and 

 Douglas fir are also mentioned, as well as ash and sycamore. 



It is proposed to use beech to a considerable extent to mix 

 with the other species, so as to avoid pure woods as much as 

 possible, and to bring the soil into a more fertile condition. 

 This refers more especially to the larch, which should be freely 

 mixed with beech. 



There being no local demand for very small thinnings, it is 

 not proposed to plant densely, but probably 4 feet by 4 feet or 

 even 3 feet by 6 feet may be adopted. Owing to a rank growth 

 of coarse grass and other weeds, the plants are to be three or 

 four years old. 



As regards the areas not to be replanted during the first twenty 

 years, Mr Annand is very doubtful whether underplanting with 

 beech, or even Douglas and silver fir, would lead to satisfactory 

 results, because the time for doing so is past. The larches 

 would probably begin to fall off before the beneficial effect of 

 underplanting could make itself felt. Still he proposes to try 

 underplanting in certain restricted areas of the best portions 

 of the existing woods. 



The new crop, it is estimated, would probably reach the 

 financial rotation on the poorer soil in sixty years, and on the 

 better soil in eighty years. We confess that we do not quite 

 follow Mr Annand in this argument, since, ordinarily, the 

 financial rotation on the poorer soils must be higher than 

 that on the better soil. 



The rest of the working-plan deals with income, expenditure, 

 roads, control books, fences, wind-mantles, and injuries to which 

 the crops are subject. 



On the whole, we have no hesitation in saying that Mr Annand 

 has done his work well. If his plan is carried out in a judicious 

 manner, the area should become one of great usefulness to the 

 students of Armstrong College. 



W. S. 



