THE HIGHLANDS. 149 



from one (hilling and fix-pence, to three (hillings 

 each. 



Few gentlemen in Scotland are unacquainted with 

 the value of that fmall fpecies of oak, which grows 

 fpontaneoufly upon the hills and rocks. The bark 

 fupplies the tanner, the net, and fail-maker; the 

 wood is confumed in various works of glafs and 

 metal, and is alfo extremely proper for making red 

 herrings. Thefe oaks are cut down every 20 or 25 

 years. The price is regulated by the demand ; and 

 the demand, by the progrefiive (late of arts, manu- 

 factures, and commerce, in thefe kingdoms : con- 

 fequently the value of this timber is continually 

 advancing, infomuch that a wood, which would 

 bring only . 1000 twenty-five years ago, now fells 

 at. 1500. The oaks allowed to come to a more 

 advanced age, are ufed in the building of bufics 

 and coafters. 



This branch, therefore, opens a new field of action 

 to all thofe who have wifdom to avail themfelves of 

 it. By thus attending to fuch objects as nature 

 dictates to be both practicable and profitable, the 

 Highlands will become an immenfe foreft, enrich- 

 ing the landlords, and giving employment to the 

 hitherto itarved commonality, in the various occu- 

 pations of enclofing, planting, cutting down, peel- 

 ing the bark, fawing, and tranfporting both timber 

 and bark to diftant markets. 



It is well-known that Norway, a country bound 

 up in froft and fnow nine months in the year, 

 loads many vefTels annually with mafts, planks and 

 deals, the produce of the fir. 



In England, the full grown oak, and other tim- 

 ber, conftitute a confiderablc portion of the landed 

 property of that kingdom. The letter tiir.L 

 fold in faggots or by the cart-load, and ufed for a 

 variety of purpofes. The large trees, many of 

 which bring five pounds and upwards, are conv 

 to the capital and elfewhere, by an incredible num- 



K 3 bcr 



