HINTS то PLANTERS. UPON THE GENERAL UTILITY OF PLANTING. "Happy the man possessed of ancient groves, "Happier who plants his trees while time improves, "And forms their beauties to reward his care." EVERY VERY man, who has in any degree the welfare of his country at heart, will participate in the regret I feel, in observing so great a destruction of the timber in this island, and, comparatively, such trifling exertions to replace a commodity, from which so much national advantage and glory has accrued. Whole tracts of country are consigned to the axe, and the honors of the forest fall unpitied, frequently to provide for the unnecessary extravagancies of life; nor can a sum adequate to its re-establishment be spared from the abundance produced. Surely the abundance produced should stimulate to steps which might again afford that generous supply, but, alas! the interval of time which must naturally elapse before that can take place, presents an excuse, frequently admitted for the neglect. And, indeed, when plantations are formed, it too often happens, that little regard being paid to the fences surrounding, a few years render the misplaced efforts ineffectual, owing to the depredation of cattle. From the very large proportion of hitherto waste land in England (estimated at one-third), it will be adviseable in general to forbear planting where the plough can be driven. I do not mean to contradict the reports of some nursery-men (although I must think they are oftentimes exaggerated), who hold out, that the best meadow-land does not yield in value equal to wood-land; but admitting the fact, I can by no means allow the necessary articles of life to lie uncultivated, to produce an useless quantity of timber. The third part of the island, was it timbered, would yield inexhaustable supplies, such, indeed, as to reduce it to little value. To proceed further then, would defeat the purpose intended, and thus in proportion to the whole, the waste land in every private estate, becomes the first, in fact, the only object of the planter. The mansion may, perhaps, claim the shelter of a neighbouring grove, and this need not be denied.-As these observations, however, are intended to be concise, I will finish this introductory part, by strongly recommending planting to every one who possesses a few acres of land. The shelter it affords to his cattle, from either the heat of summer, or the inclemency of winter; the ornament it gives to the country; the various necessary essentials for agriculture and war it furnishes and to speak closer to his feelings, the unquestionable profits which must accrue from it, judiciously arranged, speak loudly in its favor. And let him follow these simple instructions; to protect well his plantations, after having diligently disposed of various trees in soils best adapted to receive them, then, with very little trouble in thinning them at proper seasons, cleaning out the dead wood, and being careful of the pruning-knife, a merited reward will crown, in due course of time, his industry, and his efforts will deserve the gratitude of his country. B THE OAK. TH HIS tree claims our first attention for its magnitude, its beauty, and its use; in the choice of situation it is rather curious, for except its tap root* can enter into the depth of the soil, unobstructed by gravel, or a rocky stratum, it will never assume so stately a growth, nor ever rise to lordly dignity in the forest, or furnish navies to command the ocean. A deep strong soil, or rich loam, particularly suits this tree, and the following statement will prove how quickly it grows when pleased with its situation. An acorn was sown at Beckett, the seat of Lord Barrington, upon the day of his birth, in 1717, and in the year 1790, it con *Virgil alludes to this characteristic of the oak. Quae quantum vertice ad aurąs Ætherias tantum radice in Tartara tendit. |