75 



still there is a cause, which must always 

 have some influence upon, the growth 

 and quality of the article. Planted Firs 

 rise as it were in a mass, and, by shelter- 

 ing, promote each other's growth, in a 

 much greater degree than can happen 

 to such as are self-sown ; and, therefore, 

 equal scantlings will be different in age, 

 and hence the difierence in quality. 



In order to show how far the article is 

 improved by age, independent of size, a 

 tree, about forty years old, was selected 

 that had grown very slowly nearly half 

 the time,, in consequence of having a 

 yery small top, and being almost over- 

 hung by others. On examination, the 

 Wood was found exceeding good, though 

 the scantling did not exceed seven 

 inches : — compared with some of the 

 best Petersburgh Deal, it was found both 

 tougher and harder. 



