WOODS AND PLANTATIONS. 369 



The cost of the formation of plantations must of course vary much 

 with the character of the soil, situations, and many other advantages and 

 disadvantages of different localities, so that no example which I might 

 give can be a criterion. The first cost of fencing must be taken into 

 consideration, and this may vary much with the kind of fence it is de- 

 sirable to erect. If stones are plentiful, a dyke or wall built of them 

 will make the most substantial fence, although costly at first. If there 

 is an extent of older plantations, it may be the most judicious system 

 to fence the young plantations with a wooden paling, or with a wire 

 fence erected on wooden posts. 



Local circumstances must decide the question of fencing. 

 Again, if there is a considerable extent of wet land within the 

 enclosure, the expense of drainage will add to the total expenditure ; 

 but drainage should not in any case be left undone when it is 

 required, as the improved growth of the trees will amply repay the 

 outlay. 



The mode of planting also makes a difference in the expense, pitting 

 being more expensive than notching ; but where the soil or subsoil is at 

 all stiff or hard, pitting will enable the plants to grow faster and more 

 healthy, and consequently must pay the extra outlay. 



If the land is covered with any brushwood, whins, brambles, or other 

 rubbish, this should be cleared off, which of course adds to the expense. 

 It may, however, be of use to some to state the expense incurred in 

 the actual formation of several young plantations during the last few 

 years, both in England and Scotland. 



I shall therefore give statements of two or more plantations now in 

 existence, stating their altitudes, sites, climate of the district, kind of 

 soil and subsoil, and the cost of formation. The account given of the 

 plantations No. 1 and No. 2 is taken, from the prize essay written 

 by me 'On the Formation and Management of Young Plantations," 

 for which the Highland and Agricultural Society awarded their gold 

 medal in 1867. 



No. 1. TALQUHONTE PLANTATION. Extent, five hundred and fifty 



acres imperial. 



This plantation is the property of Lord Seafield, in the district of 

 Duthill, in the county of Inverness. 



Exposure. The site of the plantation is elevated, forming part of a 

 range of hills running from east to west. The chief portion of the 

 plantation has a southern aspect. 



Altitude. The altitude of this plantation ranges from eight hundred 

 to twelve hundred feet above the sea-leveL 



2 A 



