232, OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 
more valuable, while the underplanting would 
have been another source of income, and not 
merely an investment unprofitable in itself save 
for the benefit it produced on the overwood. 
Were all the requisite data available, the proof 
of this would be simply a matter of calculation ; 
but they are wanting as yet for such a specific 
purpose. 
When planted among other young crops larch 
will generally maintain for a considerable time 
any advantage in height given to it, and its light 
shade will not interfere to any excessive extent 
with their growth. Whether, later on, the larch 
is to be retained as part of the ultimate crop, 
or removed if caught up and pressed by the 
other trees, is a question which can only be 
settled when it arises, after consideration of the 
local market prices for the timber in question. 
As a standard in copse, along with oak and 
ash, it can well hold out a rotation of 100 to 
120 years, thus producing timber of specially 
valuable dimensions. One seldom sees it in 
hedges, and yet it is really far better adapted 
for being grown thus, especially with pruning 
of the lower branches, than many of the standard 
