Underwood: the Planting, Growth, Conversion, Sfc. 115 
these underwoods arc cut is eight years. Some are cut at nine 
years' growth. The process of planting chestnut, ash, or mixed 
coppice, may be here exphiined. I select a piece of land not 
worth more than IQs. per acre for farm culture. If the soil is 
very poor I plant 3 feet, on better soil 3 feet 6 inches apart, 
each way. Holes 18 inches square, 12 inches deep where the 
rock will allow, cost Is. per 100. Planting costs Is. per 100 ; 
on stiffcr soil or stony land. Is. 3ii. per 100. At 3 feet apart, 
4840 plants per acre are required ; at 3i^ feet apart, 3556 per 
acre. The plants should be well rooted and have been trans- 
planted in the nursery. Chestnut plants from 30 inches to 42 
inches high cost from 30s. to 35s. per 1000 ; ash 3 to 5 feet, 
30s. ; birch ditto, 27s. Qd. ; willow ditto, 25s. ; alder ditto, 30s. ; 
hazel ditto, 25s. I prefer plants 3 feet high to larger. For 
three seasons after planting, the coarse weeds and briars are cut 
down between the rows in the young plantation. After the 
fourth year's growth I cut the plants down to the stem ; in the 
following autumn I replace dead plants. The coppice now goes 
ahead for nine years, when it is put to auction and will pro- 
bably fetch 12Z. per acre. Nine years afterwards the same 
should realise 18Z. per acre ; whilst after the third period of 
nine years, if the coppice has thriven, the return may be as 
much as 28Z. per acre. The coppice is no further trouble after 
the first cutting, excepting that necessary to replenish dead 
stools, for which 200 plants per acre will suffice. Another way 
of renewing plants on light soils is to lay plashers, cutting them 
three parts through at the stem and covering with soil all but 
two joints. Trees must not be encouraged nor rabbits tolerated 
if first-class underwood is desired. I have found no advantage 
in trenching for planting. 
The following result of planting nine acres of land of the 
quality described is taken from the Cowdray Estate books : — 
" Iron Hill Field, in parishes of Fernhurst and Woolbeding, 
9 a. 0 r. 18 p. — planted with all chestnut in 1835. Plants cut 
off in 1840. In 1849, at nine years' growth, sold by auction 
at 14/. 10s. per acre. 
In 1858 at 9 years' growth, 18Z. 15s. per acre. 
„ 1868 at 10 years' ditto, 35/. Os. „ „ 
„ 1876 at 8 years' ditto, 30Z. 15s. „ „ " 
As, however, this underwood is of superior quality, I cannot 
quote these figures as representing the average of a planted 
coppice. 
In the Weald of Sussex I have to deal with clay and water. 
Ditches and watercourses must be kept well open, and drainage 
as perfectly as the nature of the ground will allow. Here I plant 
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