FOREST TREE PLANTING. 43 



pense), their present value would have been euhanced at least 33 

 per cent. 



Here were said to be 10,775 trees, and, could the whole growth 

 have been thrown into the trunk, they would, I think, have been 

 worth, at a moderate estimate, at least 25 cents each ; or a sum 

 total of $2,G94, exclusive of the ground the}' stand on. 



Mr. J. D. G. Williams, of Eaynham, in answer to some 

 inquiries, says that he set a piece of pine in 1850 ; the value of 

 the land was SlO per acre, and the cost of setting $5 per acre ; 

 and after 25 years' growth the standing wood was sold to a Mr. 

 Thayer, of Taunton, for $150 per acre, leaving the land, as he 

 says, in good order to set again. A very large profit on this 

 investment is apparent without demonstration. 



Mr. Williams also set a piece of pine in 1841 on land of the 

 saiiie vahie, the cost of setting being $6 per acre. This is perhaps 

 one of the earliest experiments of the kind made in Bristol 

 count}'. These trees, apparently, came to maturity in 1876, as 

 no perceptible growth has been observed since tliat time. They 

 were set in rows not equidistant but varying from 6 to 9 feet, and 

 from 4 to 6 feet from each other in the rows. A portion of this wood 

 is still standing, and attracts more or less attention. The lot has 

 an eastern exposure, and the trees in the first row on the east side 

 were evidently set for a wind-break, being not more than 4 

 feet fiom each other. They are large, with many strong, angular 

 branches, resembling in shape an oak as much as a pine, and 

 containing as much timber, tree for tree, as those less exposed, 

 though not of so good a quality. This lot was examined in 1876 

 by an experienced lumberman, with the view of buying it, and 

 his estimate of tlie wood at that time was 75 cords to the acre. 

 About two-thirds of this wood or timber is suitable for box boards, 

 and is worth at the mill, three miles distant, $6 per cord. No 

 arithmetical process is required to show that the outlay here has 

 been a profitable investment. 



The late Mr. Richard Sampson, of Middleborough, set a piece of 

 pine on land too poor to cultivate. The growth is now 31 

 years old, and the wood has been estimated to be worth $150 

 per acre. But if the worth of an article is what it will bring in 

 market, a much higher figure would better represent its value. 

 This piece, which contains about 10 acres, is remarkably tlirifty, 

 and its growth during the next decade will greatly increase its 

 value. 



