98 Demesnes^ &c. 



in planting to have regard to prevailing winds. 

 Just now I refer to some observations of Mr. Young, 

 on his visit to Collen, as to the magic power of an 

 improving proprietor, and some of its effects which 

 he saw there ; and of late I have myself more 

 than once seen changes greater and on a larger scale 

 wrought at Strokestown, within the last five-and- 

 twenty years, by energy and perseverance of a wise 

 and faithful agent. This country, once a plague- 

 spot of poverty, disease, and degradation, has been 

 transformed into an improved and comfortable dis- 

 trict, where attention is now paid to planting for 

 ornament as well as profit. Eecently, in looking 

 over some young plantings here, I perceived a few 

 of the Douglas Pine, which happening to be in well- 

 made soil, looked vigorous ; and another few, which 

 being in the natural land, appeared far otherwise. 

 Mr. J. Ross Mahon, of whose agency I spoke, and 

 his brother, Sir William Mahon, consulted the expe- 

 rienced nursery gardener, Mr. Madden, at Ballina- 

 sloe, as to more extensive planting of this noble tree 

 in parts of Eoscommon and Gralway, where limestone 

 prevails little doubting, from the descriptions they 

 read in standard books, that it would grow to a hand- 

 some and good timber tree ; but Mr. Madden recom- 

 mended them not to waste money, time, and land in 

 what he doubts not would prove unsuccessful. Mag- 

 nolias, likewise, he considers not likely to thrive in 

 those places, unless in carefully prepared soil ; but I 

 hope they will receive fair trial in different localities. 



