A RESULT OF PLANTING POOR LANDS. 117 



producing really fine timber take larch as a passing 

 example. 



We know from our own experience that larch 

 plantations, planted thirty and forty years ago, are 

 now producing large quantities of valuable timber, the 

 whole of which may be looked upon as profit ; for the 

 whole expenditure has long since been recovered. 

 This result, too, has been achieved on land which at 

 the present time would be returning nothing whatever 

 in the form of rent if in a state of cultivation. 

 Further, we may point out, as a practical proof of 

 this, that land actually adjoining has been recently 

 capitalised at a nominal rent. These larch have 

 recently produced boards 14 inches wide. 



It seems necessary, first of all, to ascertain the first 

 cost of planting an acre of land under various condi- 

 tions, and then to add to this the accumulation of 

 rent, rates, taxes, and maintenance. The cost must, 

 of course, vary in accordance with the nature of the 

 soil and the class of trees to be planted, the cost of 

 labour in the district, and other such matters. There 

 can be no fixed amount which will apply accurately 

 to all districts. 



Take drainage for instance. This is only required 

 under certain conditions as already described, and 

 even then varies as the soil is more or less heavy. It 

 is impossible to fix the amount required for this 

 operation, but a practical agent can readily ascertain 

 the cost applicable to each piece to be planted. 

 Suffice it to say that the operation adds materially to 

 the initial cost, and may render the whole a doubtful 

 act of improvement. Fencing again is a necessary 



