ARBORICULTURE. 363 



CHAP. III. 



Of the Soils and Sites most profitably employed in 



the Growth of Timber. 



From what has been said respecting the advantages of judicious 

 planting, the lands and sites most proper for the growth of timber 

 will have been generally understood. There has been a difference 

 of opinion whether land under woods or under tillage is the most 

 profitable and beneficial to the proprietors and the public ; the 

 question is similar to that which exists respecting the comparative 

 value of tillage land and permanent pasture, and may be solved 

 in the same manner, viz., that the prosperity, if not the absolute 

 existence, of the one is dependent on the other, and the interests 

 of individuals as well as the public on both. The occupiers of 

 land where woods are scarce, or wanting altogether, and those 

 where they are in too great abundance, will coincide in the truth 

 of this observation. The proportion which woods should bear 

 to tillage and pasture lands in any one district oY country depends 

 on the nature of the soil, and the local demand for certain kinds 

 of produce. 



There can be but one opinion as to the advantages of planting 

 exposed waste lands, and those that are steep, rocky or precipitous. 

 The loss to individuals and to the nation, by such large tracts of 

 lands as those now alluded to lying utterly unproductive, is 

 incalculable. 



Lands of rather a superior quality to those, or which are 

 accessible to the plough, and the barrenness of which is owing to 

 exposure and ungenial climate, offer great inducements to forest- 

 tree planting. For when the improvement is completed it is, to 

 its extent, so much added to the territorial extent of the country, 

 in affording the means of sustenance as well as the enjoyment of 

 human life. 



Lastly, where the local climate and soil are good, but where, 

 at the same time, a scarcity of timber exists for the periodical 

 wants of agricultural and manufacturing operations, as for the 

 various purposes of buildings, implements of husbandry, fencing, 



