[48] 
foil of the Wiltfhire hills, and the deep, rich, but 
alfo loofe foil, of the moors and marfhes of Somer- 
fetfhire, are equally unfavourable for its /pontaneous 
production. Oak timber, and wood of almoft all 
kinds, will undoubtedly grow and flouri/h in land of 
the latter defcription, if planted; but fo long as 
worfe land will anfwer the purpofe equally well, or 
perbaps better, it will be thought abfurd to apply 
land fo valuable for other ufes, to the fole purpofe 
of growing wood, or at leaft in any great quantities. 
The hills of Mendip were formerly covered with 
wood, but it is now confined to the fides, on which 
there are many very valuable and Hourifhing woods, 
particularly on the north and weft fides of it; but 
few of them abound in oak timber, nor indeed is 
the foil or fituation perfectly congenial to its growth. 
On the outfkirts of the county, particularly the 
antient foreft of Frome Selwood on the eaft, and on 
feveral parts of its weftern boundary, there are fome 
good and well-timbered woods. 
Devon anD CoRNWALL. 
The counties of Cornwall and Devon, and par- 
ticularly the latter, are peculiarly natural to the 
growth of oak, but the fea-breeze from the north 
channel is fo very inimical to it, that, unlefs in fhel- 
tered fituations, it feldom comes to perfeétion, and 
when the woods (which the owners are apt to let 
{tand to a great age on account of the bark) are 
once 
