INTRODUCTION. 



be very much promoted by the protection thus 

 afforded to the corn lands ; and when the rearing 

 of flock became a matter of the utmoft import- 

 ance, the fheltering of their paflures could not be 

 overlooked. 



In regard to the prefent fcarcity, and high price 

 of timber, both of home and foreign growth, it 

 certainly is a mofl ferious confideration. We 

 have got into a difficulty, with which we mud 

 undoubtedly flruggle for a time ; but we are fully 

 convinced, from a very minute examination of 

 the quantity of growing timber in England, and 

 in Scotland in particular, made within the lafl 

 fifteen months, that, in the fpace of fifty years 

 from this date, we mail poffefs an internal fup- 

 ply, equal to all our wants ; certainly in a much 

 fhorter period, for all purpofes, excepting thpfe of 

 large ship-building. 



When this is faid, let it not be for a moment 

 inferred, that we think the extent of planting 

 may or ought therefore to be curtailed. Far from 

 it. The aftonifhing increafe of our trade, of our 

 manufactures, and of our agriculture, and the 

 inceflant demands of that Navy, to which, under 

 Providence, thefe owe their profperity, and we 

 our liberty and fecurity, powerfully forbid it. 

 Far from relaxing, we would willingly fee the re- 

 folution adopted, of importing 720 timber , except- 

 pg from our own colonies, fo as to render the 



bufmefs 



