104 



COMPLETE YIELD TABLES FOE BEITISH WOODLANDS 



surface condition of the soil is not reflected in the 

 subsequent growth of the crop. 



As regards the best broad-leaved trees to plant at 

 high altitudes, it will usually be found that, in this 

 country, Beech and Hornbeam will grow the most 

 successfully, and then perhaps Sycamore and Wych Elm. 



The Financial Results of Afforestation. 

 A careful study of the foregoing tables will point to 

 the fact that under certain circumstances, and with 

 certain kinds of trees, the afforestation of land is likely 

 to be attended by most profitable results, provided 

 always that the current prices obtainable for timber 

 do not fall, and that the afforested area escape any 

 excessive or exceptional damage due to insects, 

 fungi, fire, or storm. 



However, it is not the poor, exposed, waste mountain 

 land of this country that can be profitably planted. 

 To attempt to plant any considerable areas of such 

 land must, as shown hereafter, usually end in absolute 

 failure. But there are vast areas of well-sheltered 

 land at altitudes below 700 feet (above sea-level) 

 which for agricultural purposes are worth rentals of 

 less than 6s. or 7s. per acre, but which if "planted 

 with timber" would easily yield returns equal to 



rentals of double this amount ; especially is this the case 

 on good, hilly land in a mountainous country, or on land 

 with a northern aspect, which is as beneficial for tree 

 growth as it is detrimental for purposes of husbandry. 



Now much of this land is of Quality I. and 

 Quality II. for various crops of trees, and a reference 

 to the tables (on pages 91-95) will show that, on such 

 land, trees such as Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Larch, 

 Spanish Chestnut, Black Poplar, Ash, and Corsican 

 Pine are capable of yielding returns equal to rentals 

 varying from 6s. 6d. up to 1 per acre, and even 

 double this amount in the case of the two first- 

 mentioned trees, provided always that 3|- per cent, 

 interest on the invested money is deemed sufficient. 



But, on the other hand, even under the most 

 favourable circumstances, it will seldom be advisable 

 to plant either Scots Pine, Norway Spruce, Oak or 

 Beech 1 unless, indeed, some other benefit is likely 

 to accrue from the growing of such trees other than 

 the mere production of timber, or unless such timber 

 could be sold at very much higher prices than those 

 which prevail at the present time. 



1 If land were of Quality I. for these trees it would, except 

 perhaps sometimes in the case of Beech, be preferable to plant 

 some other crop which would pay better. 



