Present Modes of Planting.
Much may, and probably ought, to be said, on the errors of bad planters: it is indeed a prolific, as well as an important subject; and if there were any solid ground on which to rest a hope that an exposure of all the mistakes which are made in planting, would lead to the abandonment of such plans and practices as would be shown to be wrong, it would be a duty worthy the exercise of talents of the highest order. It does not, however, absolutely require the aid of brilliant talent, or fervid eloquence, to place these matters in their proper light before those who are most concerned; a plain reference to facts will be quite sufficient for that purpose.
The case of an Ancient Wood in an unthrifty and unprofitable condition, does not stand out so prominently—it is not so glaringly discreditable to its owner, as is a Plantation in the same state, which has been made by himself; for as to the former, the fact that “it always was so,” is, to a certain extent, an excuse for bad management; and in truth, it will generally be found a very difficult affair, as I have hinted before, to establish a new system where the prejudice of ages, in favour of an old one, will meet the person who may attempt it, at every turn; but it is not so as to Plantations; when, therefore, a gentleman decides to plant, and has himself to do with the work from the beginning, both his interest, and his duty, point out the necessity of his seeing that it be well done; but the very reverse of this, is the average of the general practice, as I shall presently show. It would be quite foreign to my purpose, to refer to the minor shades of difference which exist in the practice of planters: such difference indeed may be met with, between plans which are each in themselves excellent; I shall content myself, therefore, with referring, and that in general terms, to the most glaring mistakes which are committed, giving a few examples.
To an eye that can take in the whole, it is lamentable to see the effects of ignorance and neglect, in the original formation, as well as in the subsequent treatment, of Plantations! With many, it seems to be expected that they will thrive and prosper, no matter how they may be put in, whereas the very contrary is the fact. With many planters there is a vague, indefinite notion—of course there is no calculation—that when once they are planted, trees will grow, not only without labour or culture, but under such adverse circumstances as at once convince the experienced planter of the utter impossibility of their doing so. As I have elsewhere said, a young child, a young animal, and a young tree, all require the greatest possible attention, and the tenderest treatment; and the blighting effects which must result, and which do result, from the absence of early attention, are to be seen quite as strongly marked in the last, as in the other two.
In numerous instances—and this I shall call mistake the first—the trees are put in without any previous preparation of the soil. It is not possible, in the ordinary run of cases, to commit a greater error than this. It is, emphatically, to build upon a bad foundation, and it is very rarely indeed that Plantations, so commenced, ever make any thing out. When I say this, I do not mean to assert that they never become trees of any size: unfortunately they do, in some situations, and men are so ignorant—there is so little real scientific knowledge of the subject to be met with anywhere—that the most erroneous conclusions are drawn from this fact. The question as to what a Plantation might have done, or what it would have done, if it had been properly treated, is never thought of! No one ever dreams of instituting a comparison between such a Plantation as it is, and as it ought to have been. And yet this is the very first question which should be asked, or rather which should be anticipated.
But the majority of Plantations, which are commenced without any preparation of the soil, are complete failures, as may be seen by any one who chooses to take the trouble to examine for himself.
Influenced by a most mistaken notion of economy, many persons plant their trees on land which is already fully occupied—it may be, by ling, by bracken, or by long grass, or twitch—and in most cases of this sort, the greater number die; but there may probably remain a few which sustain a feeble existence, so as just to make a show of a Plantation, and the owner seldom gives himself the trouble to attempt to ascertain why it is no better. The method usually adopted, when planting is done in this way, is, to dig small holes at fixed distances, into which the plants are put by the workman in the best manner that he can, and they are left to fight their way as best they may.
Mr. Withers, of Holt, in Norfolk, has ably, and indignantly, denounced the hole-digging system, and has shown, most clearly, the advantage of “the highest degree of culture,” for raising timber, whether as a pecuniary question, or where it is wanted for merely ornamental purposes. It is true that an opinion at variance with his, has been given by some, but every practical man will, at once, perceive where the truth lies; nor will he be at any loss, whether, in the preparation of a field for planting, to follow the directions of Sir Henry Steuart, or those of Mr. Withers.
It was the practice of the latter gentleman, to trench his ground from “fourteen to eighteen inches deep,” and on poor land, to “put on as much manure as if turnips were intended to be sown,” and to hoe and keep clean the land, for seven years after planting. The results were, extraordinary rapidity of growth, and a consequent early and ample return upon the capital invested, in addition to the full accomplishment of an object, which is, of course, ardently desired by every planter: viz.: the pleasure of seeing rapidly rise up before him, a healthy and most promising race of trees.
The second mistake which I shall notice is a very common one; and is committed by those who prepare the land well, but, by a bad selection of plants, either as to age, or kind, or both, render success impossible. The error as to age consists, most frequently, in their being too old: that as to the kind, in not choosing such as are adapted to the nature of the soil.
A third class of planters may be met with, who, to a certain extent, avoid all the mistakes previously referred to, but who commit the unaccountable blunder of throwing the various kinds promiscuously together, without any regard to congeniality as to the plants; and in this case, the trees that are really valuable are overtopped, and mastered by a set of worthless trash, which, when full grown, are hardly worth the trouble of cutting down. When a Plantation is made in this barbarous manner, and left in this state for twenty years, or even less, no subsequent efforts, however sound the judgment which is exercised may be, can wholly repair the mischief which is done. By this mistake, an immense loss of property accrues to the proprietor, and the worst of all is, that the trite consolation is not left him, that what is “his loss, is another’s gain,” for here nobody is benefitted; while to himself there is superadded the mortification of a loss of time, “which no man can restore.”
That the strong language which I have here employed is fully justified, will at once be admitted by every reflecting person, who has any acquaintance with these matters; for it will appear at the outset, that if a slow-growing tree is planted close to one which will grow half as fast again, and if the slow grower is the tree intended for timber, the latter must inevitably be so much damaged as to affect its health for ever, if something be not done to relieve it.
I shall not, in this place, “remark” more particularly on this point, than to say, that I have often seen the oak in this relative position, with the alder, the birch, the poplar, the larch, and other trees.
To imagine that a comparatively slow-growing tree can be placed in near contiguity with another whose rate of progress is much quicker, without receiving injury, is to manifest a want of knowledge of the habits of trees, which may be excused in an amateur planter, but which cannot be overlooked in a practical man, who is well paid for his services.
A fourth error which is committed, is one upon which I have slightly touched already, and refers to the question of adaptation of the kind of tree planted, first, to the nature of the soil planted upon, and next, if the object of the planter be profit, to the local demand.
Most serious mistakes have been committed upon both these points, even by men whose writings have procured them a niche in the Temple of Fame. Under this head a few cases will now be referred to.
It is impossible, at this distance of time, to fix the exact amount of blame, or responsibility, which of right attaches itself to the name of Pontey, for instance, who planted an immense tract of land near Lincoln, belonging to that splendid charity, Christ’s Hospital: tradition, which, however, may do him injustice, accuses him of having contracted to plant with Larch and Oak, and having, on some pretence or other, substituted Scotch Fir.
Whatever was the precise amount of responsibility attaching to him, I know not; he might be following out the letter of his instructions, for ought that I can tell, but it is quite certain that, even with the then imperfect knowledge which was possessed of the value of larch, a very great mistake was committed, in planting nearly a thousand acres of land, which was well adapted both for oak and larch, with profitless rubbish like that which is now seen upon it. A work of that magnitude ought not to have been intrusted to any one who, either from mercenary motives, or from limited views, was capable of falling into such a gross error, as to the interests of his employers. It is no exaggeration to say, that if the Skellingthorpe Plantation had been planted, as it ought to have been, with oak and larch, together with a few spruce firs, and if Pontey had left suitable instructions with those who had to take care of it, after his superintendence had ceased, it would now have been, at the most moderate computation, fifteen hundred per cent. more valuable than it is!
If it were private property, I should not presume to add what I now feel myself at perfect liberty to do, with reference to its present condition, and the future prospect respecting it.
It is at present, almost universally, a Scotch Fir Plantation: these are of a most miserable size, compared with what they might have been, under good management, and they are withal very coarse. There may be seen amongst them, just Larches enough to perpetuate the folly of the original planter; and to excite, at his periodical sales, the keen regret of the present Steward, that he has not more of them to sell. There are also a few oaks, of such quality as fully to prove that they would have thriven well—had they been planted. Further: the Scotch firs are so thick, and they are feathered down so low, that the Plantation is not healthy. It is true that, under the present much improved management, an attempt is being made to remedy this evil, and it is quite clear, that the condition of the trees will gradually be bettered, but the misfortune is—and here I come to speak of the prospects of the Plantation—that they are not worth culture. I have no hesitation in stating this to be my deliberate opinion. The timber, if timber it can be called, is worth almost nothing now, and, in such a locality, I can see no probability of its ever realizing, so as to justify those in whose care it is placed, in continuing it as it is. The plain and obvious course of the managers of this fine estate, then, is to stub up the Scotch fir, and replant the land with oak and larch.
In further proof of the propriety of this opinion, I would remark that, in this locality, both oak and larch fetch very high prices, and there are probable grounds for expecting that they always will do so; while, if the present race of Scotch firs should stand as long again as they have already stood, they will make comparatively little.
It is not too much to say, that if this Plantation were the property of a private gentleman, the Scotch firs would be extirpated as speedily as possible, and a systematic plan, providing that a certain number of acres should be stubbed and re-planted every year, would at once be laid down; but public bodies are not so easily moved, and it is therefore to be feared, that, in this case, the public will not, for some time to come, derive that benefit from the property, which would certainly be the result of proper management.
The whole might be re-stocked with suitable kinds of trees, without any considerable outlay to the hospital, if arrangements were made with a party capable of carrying out some such comprehensive plan as the following; viz.: An agreement with a responsible person, carefully worded, providing that he should stub, or grub up, a stipulated number of acres at the commencement of a sort of lease, taking the stuff, either in part payment, or wholly, if it were sufficient: and that he should, on such terms as could be agreed upon, continue to grub up, and plant, a specified number of acres every succeeding year.
In twelve years, if the work were well done, there would be some return from the thinnings of the piece first planted; and the rate of return and profit, would, from that time, continue to increase every year, until an amount would be realized which would much more than equal the largest expectations of the Governors.
I shall only mention one case more, as to the want of adaptation of the kind of tree to the soil, and to the local demand, and that is a wood belonging to the Right Honourable Lord Middleton, at Stapleford, near Newark, and which, some years ago, consisted almost entirely of Scotch fir. It is now of an age and size that enables me to cite it in proof of the opinion which I have given, relative to the prospect for the Skellingthorpe Plantation. The timber has arrived at a good marketable size, and is sold at as high a rate as there is any reason to suppose would be made of the Skellingthorpe Scotch, when it shall have reached to the same size. That price is apparently moderate, but it is so inferior in quality, or, perhaps, it is more correct to say, such a bad opinion is formed of it, by most people, that when it is converted into boards or scantling, the price it fetches is so low as to hold out little inducement to Timber merchants to purchase it. And as to the grower, I am persuaded that, if simple interest upon the original investment were to be calculated, up to the time when the wood first began to clear its own expences, and added to the first cost, it would not be found that there is much surplus over the necessary expences of management. At all events it would be seen there, as well as at Skellingthorpe, from the little Larch and Oak which they have had to sell, that the returns are comparatively small to what they would have been, if Larch had first been planted along with Oak. This large Plantation will, in the course of a few years, under the present enlightened and skilful management, to a great extent, be cleared of the Scotch firs; in place of which, the noble proprietor will have a race of fine oaks, thus proving, to actual demonstration, the great mistake which was originally committed, in occupying the land with a class of trees which, when they have arrived at maturity, are of comparatively little value.
I pass on to remark upon a fifth error. One gentleman will, from motives of economy, stick in the plants with as little labour as possible: another will aim at the same result, by putting in fewer, or smaller plants than he ought to do. Both these, and indeed all the parties, who are influenced by the same narrow and shortsighted views, greatly err: these are not the cheapest, but the most expensive, as well as the worst adapted, modes of planting. To insure a healthy and vigorous commencement to a Plantation, if that is followed up by suitable treatment afterwards, is to secure both rapid progress, and early maturity, and by necessary consequence, the largest possible amount of pecuniary return.
Lastly, as to modes of planting, and without ranging either party among those who are clearly and decidedly mistaken in their views, one class of persons will plant thickly, and another class will plant thinly, from various motives, but both without paying due regard to the capabilities, and adaptation of the soil, and, as is very natural, in the absence of all calculation, both are frequently subjected to the same result,—either a partial or complete failure of their expectations.
It is neither my purpose, nor is it in my power, to decide, upon paper, what is the best average distance at which the trees of a young Plantation should be placed from each other. Many questions ought to be previously asked, as many very important considerations will present themselves to the mind of a practical man, before he will decide.
In the average of cases, where planting for profit is the object, the question is not one of much practical difficulty; but in many others, the primary purpose, or the ultimate aim, of the planter—the local market—the cost of plants, &c. will claim very special attention.
When the object is to beautify the Landscape, or to produce effect in the immediate vicinity of a Mansion, it will be necessary to set aside ordinary rules, and to depart from some of the recognized principles which ought always to govern, in planting for profit. But even here, nothing should be done, nothing should be attempted, which is not in strict consistence with those general laws which the principles of vegetable physiology impose, alike on a Gentleman who removes a large tree upon the plan recommended by Sir Henry Steuart, and on the practical Planter, who is professionally employed to plant a large tract of country.
It is no part of my business to remark upon the merits of the respective plans which have been tried by different persons, for enriching the scenery of a Park; but I have no difficulty in saying that, where it is well understood and properly carried out, the combination of Sir Henry’s plan, with the judicious arrangement of small Plantations; putting into a well prepared soil, good, stout, well-rooted, and vigorous plants, at a considerable distance, will best effect that object. And as I have referred to Sir Henry Steuart’s method of removing large trees, it will not be out of place here to observe, that the abuse of that plan has very frequently brought it into disrepute, and given birth to the conclusion, that it was not adapted to the end proposed: and thus blame has fallen on the ingenious, skilful, and scientific Baronet, instead of its resting on the heads of those whose “mismanagement” had actually invited the failures which they were doomed to suffer.
Those who have most carefully attended to Sir Henry’s instructions in removing large subjects, will have been most successful; and while they will be the first to admit that the plan is one of very considerable difficulty, and requiring the greatest possible amount of attention; they will be the most powerful and decided witnesses in its favour, for the purposes for which it is here recommended.
But when Plantations on a large scale are desired, and when the planter considers his posterity more than himself, there can be no doubt at all, that, on certain qualities of soil, tolerably thick planting is best. And if it be desired to have a race of fine noble Oaks, they must be put in very thick, and the planter must not expect, during a life of average duration, any profit at all; for, in order to secure his object, he must, first, prepare the ground well: and next, he must either sow acorns, or he must put in an immense number of plants—and, in either case, he will incur a heavy outlay. He must, for the first seven years, keep the ground clean, and he must plant along with the Oak, a selection of those kinds of trees, as nurses, which are best adapted to the purpose, and not those which might probably, at the earliest period, find their way into the local market, and make the best price when there; although these points should not be left out of consideration.
But now, the question as to planting, or sowing, or, if the former be preferred, that of the distance of the plants, being settled, the next which presents itself is this: what kinds shall be planted as the