SECT. X. OF FOREST TREES. 119 



lost to planting is to be lamented, both in a public 

 and private view. 



What if forest trees produce nothing for the table, 

 or no immediate profit, they afford, in their raising, 

 planting, and nursing, present entertainment of a 

 very grateful kind : they may ever after be viewed 

 us objects of satisfaction, and posterity will have 

 reason to praise the work, and the planter. 



Plantations of forest trees do very much orna- 

 ment a country, and there are some grounds pecu- 

 liarly situated to become objects of delight in this 

 respect, which could not be better employed. A 

 place without trees being destitute of one of the 

 most useful materials for buildings, utensils, &c. is 

 in truth to be lamented as unfurnished and forlorn. 

 The demand for 'wood is perpetual, and the con- 

 sumption is great; and therefore a provision for 

 generations to come, by planting of forest trees, 

 must afford the sincerest (because most disinterested) 

 gratifications of mental pleasure. 



Though every one has not ground to farm plan- 

 tations of any considerable extent, yet if it were 

 only a single tree here and there, i. . to do what 

 little might ;be iu this way, it would shew a. worthy 

 spirit, and make a man au honourable benefactor to 

 society. Cowiers of fields might have little clumps 

 conveniently planted, without much expence of fenc- 

 ing. A few trees might be planted in, or rather just 

 without, hedge, rows; but these should be chiefly 

 oaks. It is a practice with some, to plant trees ia 

 hedges when first made ; but they are commonly too 

 small, and so the quick choaks them, and they never 

 thrive. 



But the planting of forest trees is profitable as 

 well as pleasing and respectable ; and a young 

 planter may live to reap much reward from hib 

 ja'bour, or he may leave a valuable inheritance to his 



