9 INTRODUCTION. 



late writers on this fubjedl), as to take proper care 

 of that which is already planted. The bufmefs 

 of planting is now eflablifhed on a broad bads, 

 and has become more or fefs the care of every 

 great landholder in the kingdom ; and as there 

 appears to be a onvition of its propriety, and a 

 due fenfe of the returns to be ultimately derived 

 from it, in the mind of every thinking man con- 

 cerned, there need be little fear of the zeal for 

 planting being slackened. It were well, however,, 

 that as much anxiety were difplayed in fome other 

 parts of management, the properly thinning out 

 and cultivating plantations, and the reclaiming o 

 neglected woods and copfes. 



A ferious conviction of the immenfe lofs which 

 the country has already fuftained, by the negledt 

 of its plantations and woods, strikingly visible in 

 every part of it, has led us to turn our whole mind 

 to this fubject ; and fuch lofs 1 cannot certainly be 

 a matter of indifference to any well difpofed mem- 

 ber of the community. While we regret the paft, 

 let us welcome a dawn of hope in regard to the 

 future management for the better ; fince we fee 

 an example fet, by fome of the great proprietors 

 of land, in various districts of the country ; and 

 an indication of others being difpofed to follow ; 

 as in many recent improvements in agriculture. 

 Although precept upon precept (many of them 

 good) have been laid down, by writers on this 



fubjec\ 



