APPENDIX. 143 



In the case of pines and hardwoods we prefer a reason- 

 able use of the pruning chisel in the early stages of growth. 



Between the twelfth and twentieth year little will remain 

 to be done but a further light thinning on similar principles 

 to the first that is, the removal of the few trees which 

 hinder the development of the main crop. 



If at 4 feet, equilateral planting, we have an initial 3,000 

 trees to the acre, there may well be, when the period of 

 twenty years is reached, 2,500 to the acre. The treatment 

 of this close plantation after coming of age will be shown 

 upon the accompanying table of approximate profits. 



The value of the plantation (assuming it to be larch) 

 when the period of twenty years is reached, may be esti- 

 mated at 1 6s. a hundred, or, say, 2d. each, equal to ^20 

 per acre. Of course, if the trees be Scotch pine or of mixed 

 kinds the value may be less ; but larch seems a better class 

 of tree to take as an example when dealing with profits. 



The value of a plantation is usually assessed strictly in 

 accordance with its economic uses ; but there are two 

 indirect values which are often quite ignored. These are 

 due to the aesthetic and sporting aspects, which together are 

 of immense importance. 



Probably these alone will justify the expenditure of capital 

 in planting, and, if so, the whole matter of expediency is 

 solved. Take a case to illustrate this point let there be 

 two estates, equal in every respect except that one is wooded 

 and one is not. The demand for the wooded area will far 

 exceed that of the other, and consequently the value will be 

 greater without any regard whatever to the intrinsic value of 

 the timber itself. We hold that every acre planted lends 

 indirect value to the estate quite apart from any economic 

 consideration. 



A table to show what may result from wise and judicious 

 planting during a period of eighty years 



