Vast Number of Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. 295 



total number of grasses growing in Ireland is 

 stated at one hundred and sixty-four. 



Among the curious forest trees were a weep- 

 ing larch, and an oak, peculiar to Ireland, that 

 has the same drooping propensity. In short, 

 the prodigious number of trees, shrubs, and 

 plants, which I had never seen before, were 

 infinitely beyond my powers of recollection. 



Mr. Foster's botanical knowledge, indefa- 

 tigable exertions, and skill in all his operations, 

 have rendered him not less a successful than an 

 extensive planter. Above six hundred Irish 

 acres have been covered with wood under this 

 gentleman's superintendance and direction ; 

 giving to each acre about three thousand 

 plants. As the forest trees require thinning, 

 their nurses, the pine tribe, are weeded out to 

 allow to the former room to grow and spread. 



The most desirable qualifications in a planter 

 are care to protect, and courage to thin ! How 

 few do we meet with in whom are combined 

 these requisites ! Mr. Foster not only pos- 

 sesses the knowledge of their indispensability, 

 but acts up to the conviction thence arising, 

 and is also in every other respect the best 

 gentleman-manager of nursery grounds, plan- 



