INTRODUCTION^ 3 



fiibject* fpr the laft forty years ; yet it may truly 

 be faid, that, with a very few exceptions, all fuch 

 precepts have remained unheeded. A few pro- 

 prietors of wood have at length thrown off the 

 trammels of prejudice, and, in introducing their 

 improved modes of management, have not fcru- 

 pled to cut, not only what their fathers, but what 

 themfelves have planted ! finners, of confequence, 

 in the eyes of thoufands ; but, in the eyes of com* 

 mon fenfe, no more fo than he who hoes out, to 

 a proper diftance, an acre of carrots or turnips. 



While fuch management is commendable in the 

 highefl degree, in fo far as refpe&s the thinning 

 Of the trees in plantations, to proper diftances ; 

 we have little reafon to fear that it will ever lead 

 to the premature felling of timber. The recent, 

 high price of that article has, no doubt, in feve- 

 ral parts of the country, had this effect, efpecial- 

 ly in fo far as regards ^r-timber ; but it is ques- 

 tionable whether a much more than ordinary cut- 

 ting of young improveable hard timber has taken 

 place, either in England or Scotland. Of timber 

 come to maturity, a very great quantity has doubt- 

 lefs been cut of late years. The demand .occa- 

 fioned by the extraordinary increafe in machinery, 

 both in our manufactories and in hufbandry, may 

 be afligned as the chief caufe. 



With refpecl: to Oak woods and copfes, the 



Very high price of oak-bark, for the laft fever* 



A 2 years, 



