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