PART VIII. PICTURESQUE PLANTING. 56? 



SECT. IV. OF THE MANAGEMENT OF NEGLECTED PLANTA- 

 TIONS, WITH A VIEW TO RECLAIM THEM. 



From all that I have seen of plantations, I apprehend that 

 there are few in our island which may not be classed under this 

 Section. Many gentlemen, who are very careful in the first 

 forming of plantations, never think of their future management. 

 Some, from erroneous ideas, contend for leaving them after- 

 wards entirely to nature; while others argue, that nothing 

 should be done in the way of thinning or pruning, for a consi- 

 derable number of years after planting. Neglect of the fences, 

 and a general carelessness, ruin many others ; and a great num- 

 ber are wilfully neglected, from the contracted idea of incur- 

 ring expenses which will not produce immediate returns of 

 profit. These, and many other causes, have contributed to the 

 neglect of most of the plantations of this island, to the incalcu- 

 lable loss of the proprietors, and the nation in general. Nor 

 need it appear wonderful that this is the case; for there are so 

 few examples of well-managed plantations, that gentlemen who 

 plant have no proper examples to imitate ; and though much 

 has been written on this subject, yet, until good precepts are 

 exemplified by some individuals, no real improvement can be 

 expected in the general plantations of the country. But when 



