THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS. 



53 



value at its removal stage than the main-crop species of the 

 same size and age. Larch might be mentioned as an instance 

 of this, but it is necessary that those principles should be ob- 

 served when using it, or any other species for this purpose, 

 which were laid down in dealing with sylvicultural mixtures. 



Such are the chief points for and against the formation of 

 the ordinary mixed plantation. It will, doubtless, long retain 

 its popularity for several reasons. In the first place, it presents 

 a better appearance during the first few years than a pure wood 

 of the same age ; and, in the second, it can be depended upon to 

 grow something or other — whether of any value as timber or not 

 does not much matter to the planter, nor does he consider 

 after effect to any great extent. 



The last point I have to consider in connection with our 

 subject is the 



Age at which a Plantation is most profitably 



FELLED. 



Local demands and circumstances affect this question to a 

 great extent, and, as these vary on every estate, no fixed rule can 

 be laid down. But I believe that a rotation based on the period 

 of the greatest technical value of the crop is the most suitable 

 one for woods and plantations in this country. Such a rotation 

 may not satisfy the requirements of strictly economic forestry, 

 which looks only at the net return, but is quite exact enough 

 for adoption in this country. The period of the greatest techni- 

 cal value of a crop of timber (in the sense in which we use that 

 term) is that period in the life of a plantation at which its size and 

 quality best meet the local or existing demand for that particular 

 species. For instance, in high-lying districts a crop of Larch 

 poles fit for fencing purposes may be worth more per cubic foot 

 at thirty years of age than the same crop at fifty or sixty years of 

 age. This does not necessarily mean that the absolute value of 

 the younger crop is greater than it would be if left until the latter 

 age, but that its relative value probably is so, and therefore it 

 may pay the proprietor to cut early and grow two young 

 crops to one older one. Where a species is most in demand 

 when of large size, such as Beech or Sycamore, the period of the 

 greatest technical value will coincide with that of the greatest 

 average increase in volume, and it will pay to allow the crop to 



