224 THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH FORESTRY 



Taking the normal growth of fast-growing species on 

 average soils and situations, and with rotations of forty to 

 eighty years, itwill be found that an annual average increase 

 per acre of from 50 to 80 cubic feet of marketable timber 

 is as much as can be expected, exclusive of thinnings. 

 Douglas tir, black Italian poplar, etc., may occasionally 

 give more than 100 feet. Larch and ash seldom give 

 more than 50 to 60 feet. An average of 60 cubic feet 

 is the most that can be relied upon from first-class soils, 

 taking the fact into account that the localities are limited 

 for the faster growing species, and that unproductive land 

 must be allowed for. 



The average value of the timber of species like ash, 

 larch, Douglas fir, Spanish chestnut, etc., will vary with the 

 locality in which grown, but from 6d. to Is. per foot on 

 the ground is seldom exceeded in Scotland or Ireland. 

 Near manufacturing centres in England higher prices are 

 reached, but in such districts land for growing timber in 

 large blocks can seldom be found. 



With spruce, pine, silver fir, etc., and in localities which 

 do not admit of more than an average growth, an annual 

 increment of 40 to 60 feet per acre may be allowed for, 

 and an average price of 6d. per foot. The farther the 

 timber is grown from industrial centres the lower the 

 price that may be expected for it, and it is a fact that 

 very little spruce or beech realises more than 6d. per 

 foot, while a great deal of it makes less. 



On the poorest and most exposed soils, as those at 

 800 to 1200 feet above sea-level, the yields from spruce 

 and one or two hardy species seldom exceed 30 to 50 feet 

 on rotations of about fifty years. Longer rotations than 

 these mean losses from wind and decay, and as big timber 

 is out of the question, nothing is gained by attempts to 

 get too much from one crop. The price of third and 

 fourth rate spruce cannot be put at more than 4d, per 



