48 ENGLISH ESTATE FORESTRY 



cultural purposes gets 2 per cent, on his capital outlay, 

 he ought, we should imagine, to regard the investment as a 

 sound one, taking into consideration the indirect benefits 

 which follow planting operations. If we can find, therefore, 

 forest crops which will return 2 per cent, on the cost of 

 raising them, we shall at least satisfy the average landowner, 

 and have proved that estate forestry is not a losing under- 

 taking, as so many seem to imagine. To afford this proof, 

 we have not only to give instances of crops which have 

 already yielded that rate of interest, but to give reasons for 

 supposing that those about to be planted will be able to do 

 the same. 



We do not propose to give individual instances of profit- 

 able plantations, in the first place, because we have not the 

 necessary data to work upon ; and, in the second, because 

 they would not be believed if we gave them. But what we 

 can and shall prove is, that certain species of timber trees 

 will produce, on given soils and situations, sufficient timber 

 to pay that rate of interest, provided reasonable costs of 

 production only are incurred. 



On the soils and situations which have already been 

 described as suitable for economic planting, the following 

 species may be said to yield the quantity of timber per acre 

 and per annum shown below : 



Average Price 

 Per Cubic Foot. 



6d.-9d. 



9d.-ls. 



6d.-8d. 



6d.-9d. 



4d.-8d. 



4d.-6d. 



Is. 6d.-2s. 

 9d.-ls. 

 6d.-9d. 

 Is. -2s. 



