368 
On the System of Planthiy, 
Lord Harlej's plantation was sown in 17*25, upon a spot which 
was an old liquorice garden. In 1811, there were lound to be 
standing on one acre of ground 79 trees; they were 100 feet 
high. Some of these trees were measured in 1831, and again in 
1843, and were found to have gained in value in the proportion 
of 15 to 8 — although among them some trees, which had been 
measured two years before, had been found to have made no pro- 
gress at all. This is accounted for by the woodman, from the 
fact that trees, which had made no progress, had had their heads 
mastered by their neighbours.* 
It has been said, that an oak-tree of an average growth will at 
100 years old be found to contain about 50 feet of timber. 
A larch of 100 years old will contain about 80 feet. 
There are many exceptions to this rule. An oak-tree on the 
lawn at Welbeck, of 100 years' growth, contains 107 feet, and a 
larch of 100 years old has been cut down, which measured 110 
feet. But still, according to the experience at Welbeck, the 
average growth does not appear in the case of the oak to give 
above 50 feet, or in that of the larch above SO feet. 
An experiment of much interest as to the thinning of trees is in 
the course of proof among some young oaks planted near the 
Icehouse at Welbeck. 
Four portions have been measured off in the Plantation, 20 
square yards each, inclosed with a rail fence, and an inscription 
placed within : — 
No. 1. January, 1827.- — The oaks within these rails were sown in 
1814. They have never been thinned hitherto. It is intended they 
should be left in a complete state of nature, without any interference of 
art, till the year 1864. The object of this experiment is to prove to 
those who may then be alive, by comparison with the neighbouriiig in- 
closures of the same size, the advantages to be derived from judicious 
thinning. 
This inclosure contains now (1848) 128 trees. 
No. 2. January, 1827. — The oaks within tlicse rails were sown in 
1814, and they have never been thinned hitherto. It is intended they 
should be left till the year 1864 in a state of nature, with this single 
exception — if a faulty tree take the lead, it may be removed. The object 
of this experiment is to prove to those who may be then alive, how much 
is gained by the judicious thinning of trees to those which remain. 
This inclosure contains (1848) 144 trees. 
No. 3. 1827. — The oaks within these rails were sown in 1814. 
They have never been thinned hitherto. It is intended that when they 
* Tlie trees measured in 1831 were valued at 5/. 4s. each ; the wood 
being valued at 2s. per foot. Between 1831 and 1843 this plantation was 
manured, which may account for this great increase in their value. — 
Scott Portland. 
