T GENERAL VIEW. HE earth produces an almost infinite variety of Plants, possessing various properties, and different degrees of strength and stature. In the vegetable as in the animal world, the stronger fubdue the weaker: the herbaceous tribes bow to the shrub, and this to the more robust forest-tree; and in an unpeopled country a state of woodiness prevails. The interior parts of America are at this day a forest: the Continent of Europe too has still its forest; and England once was famous for her's. As inhabitants increase, woodinesses give way to husbandry and the arts; not merely as incumbrances, but as affording useful materials. Population still increasing, the forest breaks into woods. Commerce B Commerce and luxury advancing, the canoe becomes a ship, and the cottage a manfion; at length even the woods dwindle away, and plantations, or an import of foreign timber, become necessary to fupply the want. England has experienced, more or less, every stage of this decline. Its present state, in respect to timber, we conceive to be this: A few broken forests and many extensive woodlands still remaining; a great number of plantations of different growths, and a vast supply of foreign timber of various kinds. Indeed, we are of opinion, that had it not been for this foreign fupply, scarcely a timber-tree, at this day, would have been left standing upon the island. Our existence, as a nation, depends upon a full and certain fupply of shipping; and this, we may venture to say, upon an internal supply of shiptimber. That there is no want of oak-timber at present in this ifland is, we believe, a fact; but that the article of ship-timber is growing fcarce, as we shall explain more fully in its proper place, is, we believe, also a fact which cannot be controverted. This is an important matter, which demands the first attention of Government, and is not unworthy the notice of every landed individual. Mankind, however, do not view the face of nature in the light of self-preservation only; the great Author Author of creation has wonderfully adapted our senses to the enjoyment of its delights; the eye is gratified by tints of verdure, and the ear by the mufic of the woods and the mellowness of echoand both by the voice and majesty of a forest roused by the breath of Nature. Our plan therefore has two objects, UTILITY and ORNAMENT; they are nearly allied, however, as labour and recreation, or as the use and the ornament of dress. But before we give directions for raising a wood, or ornamenting the face of a country, we must first treat separately of each individual tree and shrub adapted to our purpose; and, preparatory to this, give a comprehensive view of the operations inci dent to PROPAGATING, TRAINING-UP, PLANTING-OUT, and Trees and Shrubs in general. But before the young planter put his foot upon the spade, we beg leave to caution him in the strongest terms against a WANT OF SPIRIT. A flovenly B 2 venly planter ranks among the most extravagant order of slovens: the labour, the plants, and the ground are thrown away; befides the consequent disgrace, not only to the individual himself, but to the profeffion in general. Anxious and interested as we are in the cause of planting, we would rather want pupils than have them pass through our hands unfinished: we therefore reject all such as have not industry, spirit, and perfeverance, to go through with what they undertake; and we recommend to fuch as are poffefsed of these valuable qualifications, to begin upon a small fcale, and to let their seminary, their nursery, and their plantations increase with their experience. Whilft, however, we caution against entering immaturely upon the business of planting, we cannot refrain from mentioning the PLEASURES which result from it. How rational, and to a contemplative mind how delightful, to observe the operations of Nature;-to trace her in every stage, from the feed to the perfected plant; and, from beneath the leaf-stalk of this, through the flower-bud, the flower, and the feed-veffel, to the feed again! Man must be employed; and how more agreeably than in converfing with Nature, and in feeing the works of his own hands, assisted by her, rifing into perfection. Nor 1 Nor do we mean to hold out pleasure alone as an inducement to planting;-its PROFITS are great, when properly executed, and this idea adds solidity to the enjoyment. Pleasure alone may fatiate; but profit and pleasure united seldom fail of producing a lafting gratification. There is another incitement to planting, which alone has been generally held out as a fufficient inducement. We are forry to confefs, however, that we know too much of mankind, to believe that PATRIOTISM, unaided by personal interest, will ever produce a supply of ship-timber to this or any other nation. Far be it from us, however fashionable it may be, to speak irreverently of patriotism; we confider it as the noblest attribute of the human mind. Young men, to whom we more particularly address ourselves, are seldom without fome share of it; and we flatter ourselves that this virtuous principle, assisted by the pleasure, the profit, and the POPULARITY which attends planting, -ornamental plantations more particularly, will induce the young men of the present age to study and practise it; not more for themselves than for future generations. : PROPAGATING FROM SEED.-There are four ways of raising from feed the trees and shrubs adapted to our purpose : 1 |
