38 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Society may help to dispel the idea which has been so sedulously 
fostered in the public mind, that everything in the shape of 
planting is of necessity an injury to the public enjoyment, instead 
of, as is really the fact, tending to beautify their property and add 
to their pleasure. That young plantations will ever be as 
attractive as ancient woods is not to be expected, but there isa 
tender age that all woods must pass through at first, and had our 
ancestors pursued the selfish policy which prevails at the present 
day, and merely enjoyed their old woods without making any 
provision for their renewal, how different would be the Forest of 
to-day from the beautiful possession that the public so much 
enjoy, and which every endeavour should be made to improve 
and perpetuate to future ages. 
