30 The Journal of Forestry. 



In addition to, and irrespective of the improvement of climate, the 

 shelter, shade, and other advantages derived from plantations, all 

 above adverted to, trees are useful in A'et another character, that is, 

 they improve the appearance of the country, and that to a greater 

 extent than any other product of the vegetable kingdom. What 

 appearance, it may be asked, would our island have without trees and 

 shrubs ? How monotonous and uninterestiug ! 



Trees ! They are the grandest and noblest products of the soil — 

 the best means of diversifying the appearance of a country ; of adorn- 

 in<T and adding beauty and grandeur to the landscape, whether on the 

 plain or the rugged mountain side. From the various heights, colour 

 of foliage, and habits of growth of trees and shrubs, they are most 

 useful in improving the scenery, whether in connection with moun- 

 tains, rocks, or water; they give variety, and an appearance of 

 greater luxuriance to plains and flat monotonous districts; in undulatiug 

 districts, by planting with taste the higher parts of the ground, they add 

 to the boldness of the landscape; while the bare mountain-sides, look- 

 ing cold, bleak, and barren, when clothed with trees not only assume 

 a grand and picturesque appearance, but put on, as it were, a look 

 of fertility, warmth, and richness. 



Without touching on the direct revenue to be derived from planta- 

 tions, these remarks merely point to a few of the indirect benefits which 

 proprietors derive from judiciously formed and carefully loid-out 

 plantations, and are offered as an humble plea for the more extensive 

 c\iltivation of trees and shrubs in high-lying districts. 



