A series of facts, hints, observations, and experiments on the different modes of raising young plantations of oaks ... with remarks upon the fencing, draining, pruning, and training young trees

Front matter

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Contents

Introduction. | 05 5 Oe PAGE.

SEOUITAINING PC. cee eee ace opty teed leet ant Ye CECA Pel bz On planting the acorn, seedling, and larger plants. —Causes of the failure of the acorns and seedlings. —Remarks and observations thereon ect OO

CHAP, IIT.

Section II

On cutting off large, broken, or decayed branches.— Remarks and experiments on applying fresh cow dung to the recent wounds of forest and fruit trees

SECTION ITI.

On reclaiming and bringing woods and plantations that have been neglected, or got into a ruinous stunted state for want of thinning, &c. into a healthy and profitable condition :

Section IV

Further remarks on the probable utility of the furze, or whin, as food for various animals.—Shelter, fencing, &c. Pity s \eh mint ee,

SECTION V. On the fruit of the common bramble.—Remarks on

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. 301 ei | the probable virtues and uses of our native fruits .

and herbs Sti WISbWi Erde SECTION VI.

Hints for an Arborecultural Society—Its beneficial tendency

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INTRODUCIIONs

Havine been appointed, by the late Lord Glenbervie, surveyor-general of his Majesty’s woods and forests, to superintend the enclosing, fencing, draining and planting of Dean Forest, in the year 1810, and as the raising of young oak plantations, “for future Navies,” is a great national and public object, and of much interest to most landed proprietors, I trust this effort of mine to render such information to the public as came to my own knowledge and experience, on so important and interesting a subject, will not be taken amiss.

From the situation I was in, and the opportunity I had of making observations and remarks, by order of the commissioners for their information, and latterly for my own gratification, it became my duty to point out where any of the modes pursued failed of their object, or were not likely to attain it, to suggest such alterations and improvements as were more likely to answer, which were almost invariably approved of by the commissioners and authorised to be done, and which caused several deviations from the original contract during the progress of the works. b

Introduction

{ flatter myself that what I shall offer in the following sheets will shew many things in a new light, to those who have not had an opportunity of so much practical experience, and interesting to most persons who have plantations of their own, or are interested or amused with such laudable pursuits. From those who have better abilities or more experience I must hope for much candour in judgment, for I have found that what I _ thought right, or the best way at one time, (or perhaps had thought but little about it,) more mature experience has taught me to alter my opinion on various subjects; a fact, which should teach us not to be too positive in the justness of our first thoughts.

Is it not strange, yet not more strange than true, that, while improvements in the knowledge of Agriculture, Horticulture, and every other art, have and are. making such rapid progress, the knowledge and proper management of young plantations and woods should be left so far behind, although of such great public importance, and being also a favourite pursuit of most landed proprietors? I hope that what I shall have to advance upon this subject may be the means of inducing gentlemen, gardeners, and other practical men, to bend_ their thoughts to the further improve-

INTRODUCTION.

ment and true knowledge in the art of planting, and right management of young plantations, which are of such acknowledged national as well as private importance.

I do not profess to write as a scientific man or a scholar, but to relate plain matters of fact, that have come under my own observation and experience, and in as clear and intelligible a manner as I am capable of, and to point out the errors and disadvantages that too often occur in practice, with the best way that I know of obviating them, and to render more certain the success and greatest possible advantage that may be derived from plantations in the shortest time, which I hope to make clear by EXPERIMENTAL FACTS, which will be found in the course of the work, shewing how trees may be forwarded or retarded in their growth, “by skill and care on the one hand, or neglect and ignorance on the other. ”

What I shall have to advert to chiefly in the course of this work, will be the planting, with the care and management of plantations in the first period of their growth, which is by far the most important of all; for as the human character is formed in the first 10 or 12 years, so is it with forest plantations, if the greatest care and skill are not used then, to “train them in the way they should go” when

INTRODUCTION.

young, what can be done afterwards generally has but little effect, as the experience of all ages will testify.

I have somewhere read, that the man who can make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, deserves some little praise; if I ean be able to demonstrate that two or even three trees can grow with equal advantage to all, where only one grew before, for a given time, it will, I hope, entitle this my humble effort “to be of use in my generation, ” to a favourable consideration from that puBLic to whom I dedicate it.

CHOPWELL, W. B.

October, 1825. 3

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Series of facts, &e,