outlay, may be replenished with greatly-increased advantage. It may be further affirmed, indeed, that, on most large estates, a great portion of the timber could be cut down, to the benefit of the trees which are left standing. An acre of oak woodland, containing one hundred loads of timber (which is a very low estimate), is worth six hundred and fifty pounds, at a moderate computation; and fifty acres of such property would thereupon yield thirty-two thousand five hundred pounds' worth of timber! Is it of such valuable property that proprietors should be careless or negligent? On the contrary, what an incentive it offers for planting, without taking into account the beauty imparted to the landscape, the essentials of shelter to cattle, cover for game, and many other matters. It is a well-known fact, that estates abounding with timber will command a high price, and are eagerly sought after, whilst others, although possessing a better soil, and considered more eligible, in many respects, are often disposed of with difficulty, even at low prices. The authors quoted in the course of the work are too well known and appreciated to render it necessary for the writer to make any comment on their merits. In concluding these prefatory remarks, he trusts that those friends who have urged him to undertake the task, and have encouraged him with their best advice and aid in his endeavours to accomplish it, will be satisfied with his performance. CONTENTS. TIMBER, its chemical constituents and growth.-The germination A LIST OF TREES treated of in the work, alphabetically arranged, with remarks on the soil and situation appropriate for each kind. Their English and Latin names, and Linnæan class and order. A full description of the method of propagating and raising each tree, separately described, and their treatment until removed from the nursery.—An account of remarkable or large trees of each kind, and other particulars.-Trees classified as Tall Deciduous Trees-Middle-rank Deciduous Trees-Deciduous Trees of Low Growth, and Tall Shrubs-Tall Evergreen Trees-- Middle-rank Evergreen Trees, and Evergreen Trees of Low Growth, and Tall Shrubs.—Additional list of ornamental trees.-Practical purposes to which the different kinds of timber are applied.... 15 QUICK MOUNDS, HEDGES, FENCES, TREE-GUARDS, GATES, STILES, WOODS; the planting and draining of, with general remarks Page 92 HILLY AND MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICTS, the improvement of.- ON THE MEASUREMENT AND VALUATION OF STANDING TIMBER.— Forms of field-books and abstracts.-Tables and memoranda.- Miscellaneous matters relative to timber, &c. : 1. The decay of timber-2. The various qualities of-3. Weight of a cubic foot -4. The resistance of, under pressure-5. Contents of a cubic foot of water-6. Weight of timber-7. Weight of a cubic foot of different kinds of timber--8. Standard bushel and gallon- 9. Comparative weight of a cubic foot of timber of different kinds 10. To find the weight of iron-11. Proportions of the sides of right-angled triangles-12. Table of inclinations-13. Rule for measuring the angles of slopes-14. Table of cubic contents-15. On chartering vessels for carrying timber-16. Prices of timber used for railway purposes-17. Description of a fence made with the ends of larch or fir poles-18. The spe- cific gravity and some of the properties of timber; comparative BRITISH TIMBER TREES. SECTION I. ON THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND GROWTH OF TIMBER. TREES, and all other vegetable productions, are organized bodies, the constituent parts of which are resolvable into their original elementary forms. The inorganic substances, which enter into the composition of every plant, and which are by its innate properties converted into its organized as well as inorganized components, are derived from the soil by the roots, or by parts performing analogous functions; and also from the atmosphere by the leaves. These substances may be primitive or secondary; that is, they are either in their primeval inorganic state, or they have returned to it from having once been organized, either as animals or vegetables. The elementary substances essential to all plants consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; but to these is frequently added nitrogen; and sulphur, phosphorus, silica, soda, potass, lime, &c., are also found in different parts of a fully-developed plant. Of all these B |