A sure method of improving estates,

Batty Langley (1696-1751), an architect, gardener and surveyor, was the author of many architectural works, however he also wrote three important gardening books, all published when he was living at Twickenham. Here, 'Langley observes that, by making plantations of timber trees, landlords can vastly improe their estates 'to the great advantage of themselves and their posterity after them'. The treatise contains much practical and informative material, and provides some interesting accounts showing the expenses connected with the making of plantations, including the cost of labourer's wages, together with details recording the profits to be contained' (Henrey).