2 



more, in England, Scotland, and Ireland ; this 

 would employ, in enclosing and planting in the 

 three kingdoms, upwards of 30,000 people ; but 

 supposing that to be done gradually, fewer or more 

 people could be employed as necessity required. 

 That there are thousands of acres in these coun- 

 tries that are capable of being improved in this 

 way no one will deny ; and the improving of 

 these lands in our own country, in the first place, 

 is of far more national importance than to improve 

 waste lands in a foreign country, and at a great ex- 

 pense to protect ; for, by improving by planting 

 the waste lands at home, it will not only beau- 

 tify, shelter, and enrich the whole country, but will 

 secure to government in a short time an ample 

 supply of oak timber for the navy, at one shilling 

 per foot, in place of paying five shillings and six 

 shillings for it as at present, and from a foreign 

 country j and besides, were the foreign supply cut 

 off by a war, there is not full grown timber in this 

 country to supply the demand for two years. That 

 the profits would be immense to government by 

 such a system of planting, &c. the following will 

 show, of which I am ready to give proof, were it 

 necessary : The lands I refer to could be feued at 

 from six to ten shillings per acre. 



Supposing 100 acres to be planted and reared 

 solely for profit, four feet plant from plant, the ex- 

 pense of enclosing and planting, (taking into con- 

 sideration the inexperience of the workmen em- 

 ployed,) allow one shilling and eightpence per day 

 each man, will cost L.10 per acre ; although I am 

 aware it can be done for much less. 



