VALUE OF TIMBER. 257 



probability of the establishment of an exten- 

 sive manufactory, &c. in his vicinity ; and 

 the like. 



But, the proprietor of what are termed 

 waste lands, be his situation, or the locality 

 of the grounds what they may, should not 

 hesitate a moment to plant ; provided also, 

 it be plain, beyond all doubt, that the at- 

 tempt to cultivate grain would be futile. 

 Were such waste lands only, which lie in the 

 vicinity of the ocean, of large rivers, and of 

 canals, once planted ; independent of those 

 of the same description which lie more in- 

 land ; our apprehensions of a future scarcity 

 of Ship-timber might cease. 



However, since the prevailing spirit of 

 promoting inland navigation seems to in- 

 crease, and diffuse itself over different parts 

 of the island, who knows, in half a century, 

 or by the time new planted timber shall 

 have arrived at maturity, where the planta- 

 tion may stand, whose timber will with diffi- 

 culty be conveyed to a market ? Moreover, 

 might not many cataracts and rivulets which 

 pass//?;- through mountains and steeps, be so 



