23. YORKSHIRE. 389 



ftill found in the peat-bogs are a pretty 

 flrong evidence. And part of thefe hills being 

 included within the ancient forejl of Pick- 

 ering, is a corroborating circumftance. 



That trees, if properly chofen and pro- 

 perly managed, would grow on thefe hills, 

 is, I believe, beyond difpute. And I am 

 clearly of opinion that, if they be improvealle^ 

 planting is the rirft ftep which ought to be 

 taken toward their improvement. Wood- 

 lands, if once extended, would not only af- 

 ford immediate fhelter to flock , but woul'd 

 in all human probability change the clima- 

 ture of thefe bleak fwells fo far as to give 

 due encouragement to the herbage which 

 might be cultivated upon them, 



^Where the furface is ftrewed with large 

 Hones, planting feems to be the only pro- 

 bable mean of improvement. Where the fur^ 

 face is free, flacens of wood would be prin- 

 cipally wanted. 



The Scotch fr and the birch might be em- 

 ployed to break off the North and the Eag- 

 erly winds. The Norway fpruce and the 

 VOL. II. U larch, 



