PLANTATIONS. 55 



purpose, to refer to the minor shades of difference 

 which exist in the practice of planters : such dif- 

 ference indeed may be met with, between plans 

 which are each in themselves excellent ; I shall 

 content myself, therefore, with referring, and that 

 in general terms, to the most glaring mistakes 

 which are committed, giving a few examples. 



To an eye that can take in the whole, it is 

 lamentable to see the effects of ignorance and 

 neglect, in the original formation, as well as in 

 the subsequent treatment, of Plantations! With 

 many, it seems to be expected that they will 

 thrive and prosper, no matter how they may be 

 put in, whereas the very contrary is the fact. 

 With many planters there is a vague, indefinite 

 notion of course there is no calculation that 

 when once they are planted, trees will grow, not 

 only without labour or culture, but under such 

 adverse circumstances as at once convince the 

 experienced planter of the utter impossibility of 

 their doing so. As I have elsewhere said, a young 

 child, a young animal, and a young tree, all require 

 the greatest possible attention, and the tenderest 

 treatment ; aud the blighting effects which must 



