30S 



PART IL 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society. 

 Vol. IV. Part I. 



(Concluded from p. 195.) 



7. Observations regarding the Management of Oak Coppice Woods, 

 Sfc. By Mr. Robert Hosie, Gardener to the Right Honourable 

 Lord Lynedoch. 



Planting of oaks for coppice woods, in Scotland, has been 

 carried to such an extent, that Mr. Hosie thinks there is a 

 probability it may be over-done : but, should this be the case, 

 it is easy to allow standards to get up among the under- 

 growths ; and the object of Mr. Hosie's paper is to recommend 

 leaving the standards in groups, instead of scattering them 

 regularly over a wood. The advantages of this practice are, 

 more air for the undergrowths, and a more picturesque effect. 

 For instance, if sixty trees were left regularly over an acre, the 

 distance between them would be about 26 or 27 ft., which is 

 too close for coppice wood to thrive under ; on the other hand, 

 if sixty trees were left in three groups, it would leave at least 

 five-sixths of the acre perfectly clear. The distance at which 

 oak plants for coppice wood should be planted, Mr. Hosie, after 

 a good deal of experience and consideration, thinks should be 

 10 ft., or about four hundred and fifty plants to an acre. " By 

 reasoning from analogy we find that, both in horticulture 

 and agriculture, there is a certain distance that will produce 

 the greatest weight of crop ; if too great, the ground is not 

 altogether occupied; if too close, the plants are choaked up 

 for want of air. It is only by examining the distance in the 

 most thriving plantations, that we can form any thing like a 

 correct notion of the subject; but, from any observation it 

 has been in my power to make, I should certainly prefer 

 10 ft. to 8 ft." 



Rearing oak and pine woods by sowing the plants where 

 they are ultimately to remain has been tried by Mr. Hosie, and 

 found not to be the most profitable way. Much has been said 



