262 



properly managed, or is it not? — They 

 will consider, that, though the author has 

 an interest in promoting the cause of 

 truth, he must inevitably forfeit his pro- 

 fessional reputation, by disseminating 

 the contrary. He therefore maintains 

 the negative of the question, and has 

 given his reasons, at length ; — these are 

 such as every intelligent timber owner has 

 an opportunity of comparing with the 

 continual operations of nature and neglect 

 among his trees. The spirit which dic- 

 tated the work naturally wishes for pub- 

 licity ; but if it bear not every impartial 

 test, to which it is subjected, let it sink 

 into that oblivion which such temerity 

 deserves. 



The last point to be noticed is one 

 which has had considerable weight with 

 the writer, namely the present scarcity of 

 Oak Timber. For if the channels of pub- 

 lic information be correct, there not only 



