FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 



629 



943 



woods (d). Or they may form avenues (fig. 630. a) ; double avenues (b) ; avenues intersecting in the manner 

 of a Greek cross (c) ; of a martyr's cross (d) ; of a star (e) ; or of a cross patee, or duck's foot (patee d'oye) (/). 



They may form regular glades (Jig. 631. a, b) ; or irregular glades (c) ; glades, as niches or cabinets (d) ,- 

 as open squares ; glades, as squares, en berceau (e) ; or as squares, en satlons and en allec (f). 



' 6814. With respect to the character of tree-plantations, they may be as various as there are species ; but 

 for general effect and designation, woody plants are classed as large or small, trees or undergrowths, 

 deciduous or evergreen, round-headed or spiry-topped ; and plantations of every form and disposition 

 may be planted with these, either separately or mixed. Thus we have groups of shrubs, groups of high 

 and low growths, and of trees ; plantations of round-headed and spiry-topped trees mixed ; of trees and 

 undergrowths ; or of low growths only, as in copse-woods and osier-plantations. 



Chap. III. 



Of the Formation of Plantations, in which Utility is the principal Object. 



6815. The formation of useful plantations embraces the situation, soil, form, species of 

 tree, fencing, and other considerations. 



6816. A sheltered situation and deep rich soil would be the most proper if the object of the planter was to 

 obtain the greatest bulk of timber in the shortest time ; but this would not be profitable planting, for such 

 a soil would, in all probability, have made greater returns under common farming. The profits of plant- 

 ing do not depend on the absolute quantity of timber produced, but on that quantity relatively to the 

 value of the soil for agricultural purposes. Such situations and soils as can be profitably subjected to 

 aration or permanent pasture, will rajcely be found to yield an equal profit, if planted with trees. Suppose 

 a piece of ground to let at 20s. per acre for pasture or arable, to be planted at an expense of only 10/. per 

 acre ; then, in order to return the rent, and 51. per cent, for the money expended, it ought to yield 30*. a 

 year '; but as the returns are not yearly, but say at the end of every fifteen years, when the whole may be 

 cut down as copse, then the amount of 305. per annum, at 51. per cent, compound interest, being 32/. 8.<r. 

 every fall of copse made at the interval of fifteen years, ought to produce that sum per acre clear of all 

 expenses. Hence, with a view to profit from the fall of timber or copse-wood, no situation capable of 

 much agricultural improvement should be planted, unless a certain part with a view to sheltering the 

 rest ; or for the purposes of separation and fencing. 



