PLANTATIONS. 79 



" Simple Plantations consist of one or two species 

 of trees only ; mixed Plantations of many different 

 species. The latter, on suitable soils, are the 

 most profitable : they afford an earlier, more per- 

 manent, and a larger return for Capital than 

 simple Plantations." 



In a book where there is so much to commend, 

 where so many valuable practical directions are 

 given, it cannot but excite regret, to meet with 

 a paragraph so vague and unsatisfactory as the 

 above ; for I cannot but remark, that if any planter 

 should adopt the suggestion which is thrown out, 

 it will end in disappointment and loss. It will, in 

 my judgment, generally be best for the planter to 

 select such trees for nurses as are most congenial, 

 and best adapted to the local market ; and surely 

 these will not be the Birch, the Beech, the Alder, 

 or the Scotch Fir ; none of which are ever found 

 to answer the purpose of nursing the more valu- 

 able timber trees, or of securing a fair return for 

 the investment of capital. 



It is true that the opinion which I have quoted, 

 is afterwards qualified by the remark, that certain 

 '* circumstances connected with the growth of the 



