59 



known as Mr. Coke, of Holkham, whose estate, when he 

 came into possession of it, was little better than a rabbit 

 warren. I have been through some of his woods, in com- 

 pany with his agent, who observed to me, in passing 

 through one for which, fifty years ago, Mr. Coke could not 

 get two shillings and sixpence an acre, that rather than take 

 that small sura, he planted it ; and I will venture to assert, 

 that at the time of my observation, the crop of wood was 

 worth one hundred pounds per acre, the trees being about 

 five yards apart. What a very small part of this sum would 

 the accumulation of rent, expense of planting, &c. amount to ! 

 not at the utmost to forty pounds, for interest and compound 

 interest ; and from this sum should be deducted the profits 

 arising from the trees taken out and sold in that period. At 

 Wells, the neighbouring seaport, I saw a vessel chiefly built 

 of timber raised from acorns of his own planting. 



I could mention also instances where the female sex have 

 not considered this subject beneath their notice ; and had life 

 been spared, one illustrious and talented lady, most probably, 

 from the unwearied anxiety with which she sought after prac- 

 tical knowledge, would have made more valuable communi- 

 cations, and obtained more golden medals. Long will the 

 Duchess of Rutland be remembered by the Royal Society. 



The landowner who plants, provides, as it were, a sinking 

 fund to resort to, should any event occur to demand an extra- 

 ordinary expenditure. The accomplishment of so good an 

 example may be realised by arrangements which require but 

 little annual expenditure or land taken from his rental ; and 

 if in an exposed situation, may be made to give additional 

 shelter to the land adjoining. Shelter is not, I think, suffi- 

 ciently valued : it greatly assists to produce good herbage : 

 these are substantial advantages, added to the incidental ones 

 of beauty of scenery, &c. By the judicious planting of 

 hedge-row timber on an estate, it may be thrown into a kind 



