359 



bf the method of decompounding peat, by means of animal manure, is 

 so well known to the agriculturist. To a pamphlet printed in Edin- 

 burgh, in 1815, in which the theory last mentioned, is clearly given, 

 there is annexed a small tract, entitled " Instructions to Foresters," in 

 which he states as follows : " If trees are vexed by the winds of an ex- 

 posed situation, but not destroyed by them, their lateral shoots towards 

 the exposed point are shortened, and the branches multiplied ; and a 

 similar appearance may be expected at the tops of lofty trees, however 

 naturally vigorous, which have reached an unsheltered situation, where 

 the winds sweep along the upper surface of the forest, without interrup- 

 tion. These winds must prove unfavourable to the quiet deposition of 

 prepared sap, on which growth must in some degree depend ; but, of 

 course, the surplus sap will be employed by the plastic powers of most 

 trees, in multiplying buds and branches, which, however, must be com- 

 paratively short, and crowded together. And according to the wise 

 economy of nature, as very often happens, there is great reason to 

 think, that the thick clothing of leaves and branches thus provided 

 for the tops of trees, and for their exposed sides, is of great importance 

 to their health and preservation." p. 56. 



Note VII. Page 138. 



1 have now practised this method for so many years, that it comes to 

 be pretty generally known, in different districts of the kingdom. In 

 Perthshire, Forfarshire, Berwickshire especially, I have found it quite 

 prevalent, chiefly through the communications of my worthy friend Mr. 

 Thomas White, the celebrated landscape-gardener, and his father of 

 the same name ; and in other districts, as I am informed, it is familiar 

 to planters, who are utterly ignorant of the source from whence it ori- 

 ginated. On inquiring lately of a Perthshire gentleman, what benefit 

 he promised himself, from the practice of reversing the position of his 

 trees, on removal ? He candidly replied, " that he knew no benefit at 

 all, that could be derived from It: but understanding that it was the 

 fashion of the day, he followed it implicitly, as he followed other fash- 

 ions, without thinking it necessary to inquire about the matter." Now 

 this gentleman is a person of large property, and an extensive planter ; 

 which sufficiently shows the state of our general intelligence on the sub- 

 ject of tvood, and how important it is, if fashion must regulate the bu- 

 siness, that the fashion should be founded on some principles of science. 



Some little time since, I was applied to for advice, by a gentleman, 

 whose place lies on the west coast, and whose park descends in a gra- 



