VALUE OF TIMBER* 1 19 



SECTION VI. 



ON THE VALUE OF TIMBER, AND THE ADVAN* 

 TAGES TO BE DERIVED FROM PLANTING. 



THAT Timber is of the utmoft importance to 

 mankind, both in the favage and civilized flate, 

 has been fully exemplified in the hiftory of every 

 quarter of the globe. The foliage of thick forefts 

 afforded fhelter to the ignorant and naked inha- 

 bitants of thefe Iflands at a remote period ; and 

 at this moment, in fome parts of the world, the 

 natives have no other fhelter. Experience and 

 neceflity, in due time, taught our forefathers to 

 conftruct huts of trees, both to defend them from 

 the attacks of deftroying animals, and to afford 

 fhelter from the inclemency of the feafons. The 

 fame powerful agents gradually inftrucled their 

 children to apply their trees to more elevated and 

 noble purpofes j till, at the prefent day, they have 

 become, in the form of a triumphant Navy, the 

 means of exalting thefe lilands to a height of glory 

 unrivalled in the hiftory of the world. 



Daily experience teaches us, that Timber is a 

 mod neceffary, ufeful, and valuable article in com- 

 mon 



