PLANTING, 83 



. s. d. 

 Compound interest, at five per cent, on balance for 



ten years . . . .346 



Annual charges, with compound interest during 



ditto 7 11 



15 19 



Value of thinnings at twenty years growth . 25 



Profit per acre 910 



Thus, according to this estimate, doubling the capital, with compound 

 interest, in twenty years, besides leaving timber standing on the ground, 

 which in twenty years more is calculated to be worth 300/. 



Mr. George Sinclair, F.L.S., calculates, that the thinnings on an acre 

 of land, of the value of from 5s. to 10s. per acre, planted with a mixed 

 proportion of larch, beech, pines, hazel, birch, and oak the latter with a 

 view to the growth of navy timber, will, at the end of ten or fifteen 

 years, according to local circumstances, repay the average expense of 

 planting, rent, and management during that period, together with com- 

 pound interest at five per cent. ; and he estimates the clear profits of the 

 future falls as follows : 



In thirteen years, or at twenty-three years growth c24 10 per acre. 

 In thirteen years, or at thirty-six years growth 39 do. 



And after that period a triennial profit of about 121. per acre, until the 

 oak left standing may be supposed fit for the naval yards, and worth at 

 the present prices, 264., which leaves a balance superior in the proportion 

 of 300 to 7 to the fee simple of the land*. But let it be remembered, 

 that these calculations are all founded on the supposition of judicious 

 planting and subsequent culture. 



M. Chaptalt estimates the forests or woodlands of France to occupy 

 about sixteen millions nine hundred and four thousand acres, or about 

 one-seventh of the whole productive land of that kingdom. According 

 to M. Herbin de Halle, there are of forest lands belonging to 



The State . . . 2,SQ2*652 



Crown . . . 164,565 



Princes of the Royal Family . 479,348 



Public Bodies . . 4,834,284 



Private Individuals . . 8,623,555 



The produce is estimated at five millions three hundred and forty- 

 seven thousand pounds sterling, or about from six shillings and four- 

 pence to seven shillings and fourpence per acre. Compared to this o^ 

 woodland, the production of arable land is estimated at ten shillings, 

 and grass land is placed on a level with that under the vine, viz. thirty- 

 three shillings and eightpence an acrej. 



* These calculations were made at the same time hy the three individuals mentioned, 

 but unknown to each other ; and as the results agree in all material points, except as 

 regards the cost of planting in the second statement, which is very low, the general con. 

 elusion receives much weight. Prospectus of British Forest Planting , 1826. 



f Journal des Fortts, tome premier. A Paris, 1829. 



J ' Les prts sont places sur la raeme ligne, malgre le proverbe populaire qui dit que la 

 vigue rachete le pre,' Ibid. 



