Part 6

I doubt not but some of my readers will stamp this advice with their unqualified disapprobation. It may be very good and correct notwithstanding. My own experience, as well as that of many others whom I have consulted, convinces me that the notion, which so extensively prevails, as to the injurious effects of pruning, is decidedly incorrect. It may have had its origin in the evidence of injury to timber, which has been furnished by injudicious pruning; and thus what would have else been universally seen to be necessary, has come to be almost universally condemned: but this is a common error, and has been too often shown, to render it necessary for me to expose it here. Some very valuable observations on pruning have been published by Mr. Main, in his excellent little work, entitled “The Forest Planter and Pruner’s Assistant.” At page 53, the following paragraph occurs: “But the only part of a woodman’s duty which does not appear to be well defined, or at least not generally agreed upon by practical men, is relative to the necessity of carefully pruning and managing the trees during the first fifteen or twenty years of their growth.”

I quote the last member of the above with entire approbation: that is, so far as the necessity for pruning is recognized in it: and I further think, that the reasons which are given by Mr. Main for pruning, and the manner in which he has illustrated his principle—the clear and satisfactory way in which he has treated the whole subject—entitle him to the confidence, and to the thanks, of all who are interested in the growth of trees. But I am very far indeed from agreeing with him in the opinion so adventurously given, that “the best methods of preparing the ground for the reception of the plants—manner of transplanting—the soils most suitable for each species—are all thoroughly and universally understood.” My belief is, on the contrary, that comparatively few planters, or woodmen, do “thoroughly” understand these matters. If they did, their practice would not be so extensively wrong as it is. If it were so, why have planters so widely differed? Why is there seen such discrepancy in their modes of management? But what does Mr. Main wish his readers to understand by the term “practical men”? If he refer to those who have the oversight and the direction of the practical operations included in the “preparation of the soil for the reception of the plants—manner of transplanting—the soils most suitable for each species, &c.”; and if he wish to convey the idea that, by this class of persons, these points are “thoroughly and universally understood,” I hold him to be wholly and widely wrong: but if he only mean that scientific men, who have well studied the subject, and who have written upon it, and really intelligent woodmen, are agreed as to the best practice, I do not greatly differ from him; nor do I conceive that the main point, at which I have aimed in this publication, will be at all affected by any concession which I make to this effect: my principal object has been, and will be, to show that, however clearly and strongly may have been shown, the propriety of acting in conformity with the principles of science, in the original formation of Woods and Plantations, in the planting of Hedge-row Timber, and in the general management of them all, the practice of “practical men,” has been, “except as before excepted,” so bad, that the most charitable conclusion which can be drawn is, that they “thoroughly” misunderstand almost every part of the subject! It seems rather to me, that instead of there being only one point in their practice on which they need enlightenment, that there is but one on which they may be said to agree, and that is in a thorough contempt for all rules, all principles, all science! in other words, that this class of persons has displayed an amount of ignorance, (which, however, has been more their misfortune than their fault,) and the want of a proper apprehension of the nature and extent of their obligations, and duties, which has no parallel in the management of any other description of property.

But this is a digression: I pass on, therefore, to the question of pruning, on which I would again commend to the notice of my readers, the valuable remarks of Mr. Main, as well as some excellent practical observations from the pen of that veteran in the service, Francis Blakie, Esq., late Steward to the Earl of Leicester, from whose small pamphlet, entitled “A Treatise on the Management of Hedges and Hedge-row Timber,” the most useful information may be gathered.

Mr. Main’s is an able and lucid examination of the question of pruning, and, to my thinking, most fully and satisfactorily settles it. He shows that when pruning is properly done, and when it is commenced early enough, and so managed as to secure the desired result in fifteen or twenty years, it may not only be done with safety, and without material injury to the timber, but that no other plan or practice will answer so well. This he clearly proves upon scientific data, familiarly illustrated by numerous plates, and confirmed by practical statements.

If, however, it were only from neglecting to prune that the Plantations of this kingdom had gone wrong, the “mismanagement” would not have furnished a subject for remarks so strong as it now does; but, as I have stated over and over again, the practice is, in most cases and on many accounts, at every stage of their progress, almost as bad as it can be.

The treatment which a Plantation ought to receive, may be comprised in a very few words. The principals will require pruning from an early period after being planted, and the pruning must be continued, more or less, according to circumstances, either every year or every alternate year, until it is from fifteen to twenty years old; and, during the same period, a small portion of thinning will probably be required. As to the nurses, they must be watched constantly after the fourth year, and they must be treated with sole reference to the prosperity of the other trees; they may, therefore, be pruned, or lopped in any way that will best subserve that end. Of course I am now speaking of Plantations where the trees are not put nearer to each other than three feet, and when, in consequence, they must have artificial pruning.

In cases where pruning begins soon enough, the question which has been raised as to the manner of doing it—whether by close pruning, snag pruning, or fore-shortening—will not apply. All the principals should be close pruned with a sharp instrument, care being taken not to wound the bark too extensively. The principle to be kept in view at all times, when dealing with a Plantation, is, to subject it to no sudden changes, but when pruning is found to be insufficient, to commence a course of gradual thinning, which shall not, in any considerable degree, at any period, disturb the temperature of the Plantation. If this point be duly attended to, and a sound judgment be exercised in selecting the principals, the planter’s most sanguine expectations will not be disappointed.

So far as I have ventured to offer suggestions for the proper management of Plantations, I have intended them to apply to such as are not over twenty years of age; but it is well known to all who concern themselves in such matters, that a class of Plantations ranging above that age, up to forty or fifty, may be met with in various localities, which stands much in need of better “management.” In all cases of great neglect, which has been continued more than twenty years, the nicest judgment is necessary. The difficulty is, however, always in proportion to the degree of neglect. Where the trees have been put in thickly, and nothing, or almost nothing, has been done, little can be expected even from the most judicious treatment; but still the means ought to be tried, for one thing is quite certain, viz., that the longer remedial steps are put off, the less chance there must be of their doing any good.

If, when the Plantation has been thus neglected, a person is called in who does not fully understand what he is about, irreparable mischief will be done: he is almost sure to thin too freely. A proprietor of long neglected Plantations must, therefore, be well assured beforehand, that the person he employs will be guided in the course he takes by correct views, both practical and scientific, upon the whole subject; and when such is the case, the most suitable and appropriate plans will be adopted.

Should any one demand of me before I close, some data on which he may judge whether or not a Plantation is in a condition requiring unusual attention, I offer the following:

First: If, upon examination, it be found that the trees intended for timber have not an aspect and position superior to the others which are around them:

Secondly: If, at any period after twenty years from the time of planting, it be found difficult to identify and point out the trees which are to be the final crop:

Thirdly: When there are any decided indications of a want of health and vigour, there is proof sufficient that something more is required to be done than has yet been done. The grosser cases of Plantations which have never been entered for any purpose, for five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years together, need not be pointed at. Every one who sees them must perceive the necessity of their being relieved without loss of time. No plant, of which we have any knowledge, can exist without light and air, and in proportion to the extent to which they are excluded from Plantations, will be the injurious effect produced upon the health of the trees. In fact, it may be laid down as a universal rule, that in proportion to the judgment and discrimination which are exercised in gradually admitting both light and air into Plantations, of almost every description, will be their healthy progress.

I conclude my remarks on this part of my subject by observing that, having admitted, as I most fully and readily do, that a few instances may be met with in almost every county where the science of Arboriculture is tolerably well understood, and its principles carried out, I must still contend that cases enough may be found—First; of a want of preparation of the ground: Secondly; of an improper selection of plants, either as to kind or size: Thirdly; of an unsuitable admixture of them: Fourthly; of mistakes committed as to their distance from each other: Fifthly; when they are injured for want of early attention: Sixthly; when injury is done to them for want of, or from imprudent, or excessive, thinning, to fully justify me, or any one else, in bringing before the public the “mismanagement” of Plantations.

CHAP. III.

HEDGE-ROW TIMBER.

In commencing this, the third part of my subject, I am fully impressed with a sense of its magnitude and difficulty; and nothing but a thorough conviction resting on my own mind, of the truth of the position which I have taken with reference to the present state, and the present management of Hedge-row Timber, would have emboldened me to give expression to views which cannot but be unpalatable to many, however just they may be, and however strong their claim, to the serious notice of others. I am fully prepared to expect that censure may be dealt out by some, in not very measured terms, but this does not move me: having nothing but a plain, unvarnished tale to tell, I shall tell that tale as fearlessly as if I were about to pour sweetest music into the ears of those who may read. I know whereof I speak; and while I have as little fear of any one successfully attempting to disprove what I shall advance, as I have at present, I can contemplate, without a single disturbed feeling, the liability to which I shall assuredly expose myself, of having sundry missiles thrown at me by those who are deeply implicated in the present “mismanagement” of this valuable property. Thus much with reference to those who are in offices of trust and confidence, as the managers of Woods, Plantations, and Hedge-Rows, if any such shall favour me with a perusal. But I may not proceed any further, before I say a few words in deprecation of the displeasure of a more important class of persons who will, I trust, do me the honour to read my “Remarks”; I mean, the proprietors of Hedge-row Timber. To these—or rather to that portion of them who have hitherto paid little attention to this part of their property—I would say, let my observations be “weighed in the balances,” and, if they are “found wanting,” let these be set against what cannot be called more than a venial error—an error of judgment—the strong, the ardent desire that I have to see introduced the correction of what I have, at least, deemed to be, a serious mischief.

If Hedge-row Timber has been “mismanaged”—and who can doubt it—on whom shall the blame fall? As I have more than once said before, not on a class of men who, from their education, must necessarily be limited to the mechanical duties connected with their office, but on the Owners of Timber, from whom either directly, or through the agency of persons duly qualified, such rules and regulations ought to proceed, as would insure a better system of management. Practices are allowed, and such a state of things is permitted by the proprietors of Hedge-row Timber, as abundantly prove that many of them have never either understood its value, or given themselves the trouble to enquire whether it was under a course of suitable treatment or not.

I have stated that I consider the question which I am handling a difficult one. I feel it to be so—not because I have any difficulty in proving “mismanagement” on the part of those who have to do with the timber of our hedges—not because I can feel a doubt that my statements will carry conviction along with them; but because I must necessarily come into collision, both with the refined tastes, and with the prejudices, of many of my readers. For instance: if I assert, as I do without any hesitation, that many Noblemen and Gentlemen suffer their Hedge-row Timber to stand much too long—where is the admirer of the beauties of landscape scenery, who will not instantly, and perhaps indignantly, throw down my book, and charge me with being the most presumptuous of grumblers, and, as to taste, a very heretic!

If to such a charge as this I plead “not guilty,” as, after all that can be said, I really must do, I am aware that I must be prepared with a very strong defence. I think I am so prepared. My defence will rest on three principal points, which it will be my endeavour to bring out in the course of my “Remarks: viz.: First; I shall show that the magnitude of the sacrifice which arises from Hedge-row Timber being suffered to stand so long, is disproportionate to the good resulting from it. Secondly; that the embellishment of a landscape does not necessarily include the perpetuity of any one race of timber trees. And thirdly; that the present mode of “mismanaging” Hedge-row Timber, is a perpetual offence against good taste.”

Although I have arranged my three propositions as above, I do not intend to bind myself to take them up again, and dispose of them in consecutive order: I have neither time nor the ability to adapt my “remarks” to the niceties of exact logical arrangement; it will be sufficient for me, if I shall succeed in leaving upon the minds of those who may read them, an impression of their truth. If that result is arrived at, it surely will be quite sufficient to draw the particular attention of proprietors to the subject; which will be more than half way towards securing the improvement which is so loudly called for; and that would be as much perhaps, as could at once be reasonably expected.

It may not be amiss to glance for an instant, at the value of the property about which I am writing. Few people, I imagine, have any proper conception of the aggregate amount. It is, of course, impossible to offer more than a conjecture on the subject; but probably it is not less, in England alone, than One Hundred Millions sterling!

It is quite clear that a course of management which only, in some of its details, falls short of what it ought to be, would involve, as it affected such an immense investment, a very serious loss to somebody. How much more serious then, must it be, if, not only some of the minor details of management, but the entire course of treatment, be radically wrong, as it respects a considerable proportion, and very defective indeed as to the remainder? It would be a waste of time to stop here with a view to argue, in proof of what must appear to every one to be nothing less than an axiom.

That proprietors of Hedge-row Timber are not solely influenced by considerations of taste in their management of it, is most evident to an experienced eye; but the heavy loss, which is consequent upon allowing it to stand so long, has, probably, never been fairly understood by them, or some efforts would have been made to prevent it.

If a Nobleman or Gentleman merely suffered his timber to stand beyond maturity in the neighbourhood of his house, or on the domain where his mansion stood, however extensive it might be:—or if he generously spared the trees which, though at a great distance from his residence, were so placed as to enrich, if not constitute the principal beauty of, some splendid scene in nature, no one, who possesses a grain of taste, would regret it, but, on the contrary, would feel grateful for this sacrifice to one of the most hallowed emotions of the heart, when surveying the Creator’s works, which are all perfect; and the touches of whose pencil are all loveliness—whether as seen in the refreshing beauty of foliage which distinguishes the vernal season, or the mellowed minglings of Autumn’s enchanting exhibitions: but when it is considered, that a majority of the Nobility and Gentry, thus treat their remote and even most distant estates, where besides, there is nothing particularly attractive in the scenery, the propriety of the course which they pursue may, I think, be fairly questioned. Some other reason therefore, than a deference to the principles of good taste must be found, in order to account for their conduct; and in looking round for a reason I should say, a good deal must be set down to indifference, and pure neglect. This I say, because it will not admit of question, that a most extensive loss arises, both to themselves, and the community in consequence; and it is not often that gentlemen wilfully close their eyes to the importance of pecuniary considerations, except there is some powerful and justifiable reason which leads them to do so.

Without speculating further as to the precise cause, it is certain that the amount of property which is thus wasted, absolutely wasted—and in almost every case without any advantage to any party whatever—is enormous, as it would be easy to show by statistical details and calculations, applying to any estate where this horror of felling timber may have existed for half a century. Were this accurately done, there could not but be such a showing, as would fully establish the truth of what I have advanced. There would indeed be no difficulty in fixing upon an estate, in any locality, which would illustrate my position, but I shall not here attempt it, for various reasons, which will be obvious to all. It would be travelling beyond the bounds of legitimate remark, were I to refer to any particular estate, and any other references, however accurate in point of fact, would not be sufficiently specific. I would rather recommend any gentleman whose estate may be pretty well covered with timber, already, or long since, arrived at maturity, to make as near an estimate as he can of its present value, or procure it to be made; and having calculated the amount which would be exhibited of the gross sum at compound interest, for any given term of years, then let him “try back,” and endeavour to ascertain what, according to this mode of calculation, may have been his individual loss. But when a gentleman coolly makes up his mind to allow his Timber Trees to go to decay without ever intending, or wishing, to make any thing of them, why then, in that case, nothing can be advanced, but to suggest the means of protracting their existence to the longest possible period.

It is impossible not to do homage to the feeling which prompts a gentleman to make so large a sacrifice to taste, as to suffer the greater part of his Hedge-row and detached Timber to perish by slow decay; but if it can be proved that he acts upon mistaken views, and that, by a better system of management, his object might be gained without the very serious pecuniary loss which, on the other plan, he must necessarily suffer, it cannot be doubted that such a suggestion ought to command his instant attention. It will hardly be denied, I think, by any one who fully understands the subject, that such a regular succession of Timber Trees in the Fields and Hedge-rows might be secured by a proper system of management, as would sustain and perpetuate the beauties of the landscape, while, at the same time, nearly every tree should be taken in its turn as it arrived at maturity. It would, of course, require an entire change of system, or rather of practice, and the change would necessarily involve a considerable outlay, inasmuch as a constant supervision would be required from the time of planting, but whatever might be the expense, it would be amply returned; and whatever might be the apparent difficulty, it would not be such but that skill and perseverance would be sure to surmount it.

If then the objection which would be made by the man of taste, to the felling of Hedge-row and detached Timber, could be effectually obviated, by providing a regular succession to take the place of such as might be cut down—for the difference of a few yards in the site need hardly be taken into the account—one great difficulty, at least, would be overcome; and instead of wasting, as is done under the present practice, a quantity of Timber, the aggregate value of which makes it an object of national importance, the growers might take down their trees when they arrived at maturity, and thus produce a constant supply of the best sort for home consumption: and it will not surely be argued by the most determined advocate for free trade, that it would be for the interest of the English Gentleman to give a higher price for Foreign Pine than he would be able to make of home-grown Oak! No! emphatically No!! When the navy requires it, by all means let it be so appropriated, and if the demand be sufficient from that quarter, the relative price will be kept up, but let not English heart of Oak be reduced in our home market below the value of an inferior article, with all the costs of transit added to the original price. This were indeed to show a most extravagant and unaccountable preference of a crotchet over the obvious dictates of reason, and the suggestions of prudence. It would indeed be to drop the substance, and grasp at the shadow.