58 PLANTATIONS. 



is true that an opinion at variance with his, has 

 been given by some, but every practical man will, 

 at once, perceive where the truth lies; nor will 

 he be at any loss, whether, in the preparation of 

 a field for planting, to follow the directions of Sir 

 Henry Steuart, or those of Mr. Withers. 



It was the practice of the latter gentleman, to 

 trench his ground from " fourteen to eighteen in- 

 ches deep," and on poor land, to "put on as much 

 manure as if turnips were intended to be sown," 

 and to hoe and keep clean the land, for seven 

 years after planting. The results were, extra- 

 ordinary rapidity of growth, and a consequent 

 early and ample return upon the capital invested, 

 in addition to the full accomplishment of an object, 

 which is, of course, ardently desired by every 

 planter : viz.: the pleasure of seeing rapidly rise 

 up before him, a healthy and most promising race 

 of trees. 



The second mistake which I shall notice is a 

 very common one ; and is committed by those 

 who prepare the land well, but, by a bad selection 

 of plants, either as to age, or kind, or both, render 

 success impossible. The error as to age consists, 



