250 FINANCIAL ASPECT OF AFFORESTATION 



Furthermore, no allowance has been made for loss of 

 capital in land occupied by rides. 



The rentals, as stated in these tables, are for crops grown 

 in close canopy, except in the case of the Larch on the 

 8o-year rotation, and to a less extent in the case of the 

 Ash. Better rentals will, however, always be shown, especi- 

 ally in the case of Oak, whenever partial clearances or 

 very heavy thinnings can advisedly be made. 



It is, in most cases, a great mistake to strive after obtain- 

 ing maximum final yields, by leaving a maximum number 

 of trees per acre. The rule to observe, though somewhat 

 oracular, is : " Leave a minimum number of trees per acre, 

 after the principal height growth has been attained, as is 

 consistent with sound principles." 



Short Rotations. The advisability of always having, in 

 close-canopied high forest, relatively short rotations instead 

 of long rotations, provided that there be no increase in the 

 price per foot obtained for the timber, is very important, 

 as is shown in the case of Larch in the above tables. 



So too, Douglas Fir grown on a rotation of 55 years, will, 

 if pd. a foot can be obtained for the timber over 6 inches quarter 

 girth, give a far better result than when grown on a 75-year 

 rotation, the timber being sold at the same price per foot. 



Thus, adopting the data given in Chapter XL, the fol- 

 lowing comparisons may be made for Douglas Fir grown on 

 ist quality soil and situation. 



* If planting, etc., costs 8 per acre. 



