INTRODUCTION. Vll 



knew a timber merchant who purchased an entire estate 

 of Oak timber, consisting- of a little less than 20,000 

 trees of a good size, clean, and to all appearance of 

 first- class quality ; but it was found to be otherwise, I 

 was informed, when the timber was cut down. Many 

 of the trees were worthless for shipbuilding in the 

 centres, the hearts being partially decayed. This was 

 on account of the locality not suiting the Oak. So it is 

 with reference to other kinds of trees — as, for instance, 

 the Apple, which will luxuriate in some places, and in 

 others will remain almost stationary and not get much 

 larger ; it will neither grow nor die. 



