52 ON THE PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF 



pletely ignored where large tracts of land exist, incapable of 

 growing any other crop ; and if the various hardy coniferse re- 

 ceived a fair share of attention. 



The cultivation of underwood has a more deteriorating influence 

 on oak coppices than on any other sort of trees, as will be apparent 

 from the following facts. The general practice is to reserve a 

 number of stockshoots for permanent trees. These are afterwards 

 severely thinned to encourage the growth of underwood, often the 

 main consideration. Under any circumstances, they tend to pro- 

 duce short stems, with wide-spreading bushy heads, which damage 

 the undergrowth. When severely thinned, this peculiarity is more 

 marked, and the trees soon acquire a sickly and stunted appear- 

 ance. The fewer trees left, the more money will each successive 

 fall of underwood realise. By thinning severely, therefore, we 

 increase the value of future crops of underwood, and augment the 

 profits by the sale of the timber trees. This system gives excellent 

 results so long as the timber trees last ; but when these are cleared 

 without a succession, the prospective value of the crop is seriously 

 diminished. To prevent deterioration, a subsequent crop of trees 

 must be planted to succeed the stockshoots which are removed. 

 It is also requisite that the blanks occurring by the decay of old 

 stools should be regularly filled up with young trees. Where 

 planting is systematically neglected, the underwood rapidly 

 deteriorates until it may be decided to trench the ground for 

 agricultural purposes. One case may be cited near Andover, 

 where an enclosure of over 1000 acres is at present being con- 

 verted into an arable farm. The enclosure consisted chiefly of 

 hazel underwood and oak timber. Both crops had been rendered 

 permanently defective by neglecting to plant, and injudiciously 

 clearing the oak timber. Such cases are the result of mismanage- 

 ment. With careful attention and adequate planting, the prospects 

 of our coppice woods might be much improved. On many well- 

 regulated estates, where present profits are not the chief con- 

 sideration, coppice woods are not only remunerative, but are 

 increasing in value. 



The prospects of plantations cultivated exclusively for timber 

 are more encouraging. They are, on the whole, healthy and 

 vigorous, and promise larger profits than can be derived from any 

 other source, whether the plantation consists of Scotch firs, 

 spruce, larch, oak, ash, lime-tree, or mixed hardwoods. If planted 

 for timber, and judiciously managed, the result will be more satis- 



