Of Shrubs and Forest Trees* 45 



that did not appear to have happened more than from 

 20 to 30 years ago, the ash and wild cherry were the 

 prevaihng timber; there were indeed, other trees gi'ow- 

 ing among those but from their appearance, very few 

 of them would attain to a large size, except some birch, 

 and I have no doubt, that if cultivating the country 

 does not make some alteration in it, in another century, 

 the beech, sugar maple, hemlock &c. will be as scarce 

 in those parts of the country, where they now abound, 

 as the oak is at present." 



The benefit derived from a change of crops is so ob- 

 vious, that to doubt it would airgue scepticism, border- 

 ing upon the ridiculous. The same kind of seed, long 

 continued upon the same ground, almost ceases to yield, 

 losing as it were all excitability, or disposition to be 

 stimulated by the qualities of the soil to which it had 

 been so long accustomed ; and yet we find that other 

 seeds will grow in the same soil, with great luxuriance, 

 and yield abundantly. The southern States afford a 

 remarkable proof of this truth. In South Carolina, in- 

 digo w^as so long continued upon the same land, that 

 the expence of cultivation was scarcely cleared,^" and 

 yet cotton afterwards yielded abundant and very pro- 

 fitable crops, upon the same ground,! and in all proba- 



* Mr. Bryan Edwards says ''from observing its long top, 

 root, and spontaneous growth, in almost ever}^ dry and barren 

 savannah, he is convinced, it will thrive on soils that are fit 

 for nothing e/.ye." The difference of the experience of plant- 

 ers in South Carolina and Georgia, is remarkable. 



j It is to be understood, that tlie land alluded to was not 

 manured. 



