PLANTATIONS. 61 



A fourth error which is committed, is one 

 upon which I have slightly touched already, and 

 refers to the question of adaptation of the kind of 

 tree planted, first, to the nature of the soil planted 

 upon, and next, if the object of the planter be 

 profit, to the local demand. 



Most serious mistakes have heen committed 

 upon hoth these points, even hy men whose wri- 

 tings have procured them a niche in the Temple 

 of Fame. Under this head a few cases will now 

 be referred to. 



It is impossible, at this distance of time, to fix 

 the exact amount of blame, or responsibility, which 

 of right attaches itself to the name of Pontey, for 

 instance, who planted an immense tract of land 

 near Lincoln, belonging to that splendid charity, 

 Christ's Hospital: tradition, which, however, may 

 do him injustice, accuses him of having con- 

 tracted to plant with Larch and Oak, and 

 having, on some pretence or other, substituted 

 Scotch Fir. 



Whatever was the precise f mount of respon- 

 sibility attaching to him, I know not*; he might 



be following out the letter of his instructions, for 

 1 



