PART VIII. PICTURESQUE PLANTING. 549 



raised, the saving in plants and planting (as few or none will 

 require to be replaced) will entirely or nearly defray the ex- 

 pense of preparation. Thus, independently of timber-pro- 

 duce, it appears, that the additional expense of preparing the 

 soil will generally be repaid the second or third year after 

 planting; if not positively, by crops of vegetable produce; at 

 least negatively, by preventing further expenses. But when 

 the returns in timber produce are considered, it may appear 

 astonishing that any gentlemen should be so forgetful of their 

 own interest as to neglect the preparation of the soil. If we 

 suppose that, daring the first ten years, trees grow only twice 

 as fast where the soil is prepared, as where it is not, then 

 a plantation worth o^lOO. in fifty years, had the soil been 

 prepared, would have been worth .£200. in the same time. But 

 every one will allow that many kinds of deciduous trees will 

 grow three, four, and often ten times, faster in prepared, than 

 in unprepared ground; and, of course, the return of profits 

 will be correspondent. 



The ground being drained and cleared, as far as neces- 

 sary, of surface incumbrances, the mode of preparing the soil 

 will vary according to circumstances. Where a considerable 

 extent is to be planted, the ground should, if possible, 

 be prepared by the plough; by autumn or summer fallowing; 

 or, in very rough moors, &c. by fallowing two seasons; and 

 trench-ploughing should be added to the fallowing wherever it 



