165 



whole of the bank, from the ravhie down from the 

 shepherd's house ah'eady noticed, to the stone dike 



running down to the Berwick road on farm, that 



is to say, carrying the fence from the upper corner 

 of the new dike at the east end of the last lot, to the 



aforesaid dike on farm, running up from the 



public road ; this would only take in land not fit for 

 carrying any other kind of crop, and the whole 

 would carry excellent wood, either to rear up to 

 maturity as standing timber trees, or to cut re- 

 gularly as a coppice natural wood, besides beau- 

 tifying the whole country. It would not only be 

 profitable to the proprietor as a crop, but also add 

 greatly to the value of the property; besides af- 

 fording excellent shelter to cattle and sheep on 

 these farms, which is so much wanted on these bare 

 looking farms. Were this plan to be adopted, I 

 would advise that all along the top of the bank, be- 

 tween east and west, be planted a double triangular 

 row of spruce and Scotch firs, which will always show 

 as a plantation of timber trees, particularly in winter, 

 and will warm and shelter the whole property ; as 

 far as they go, the spruce and Scotch firs should be 

 planted alternately at four feet distant, plant from 

 plant, and regularly thinned out to stand, at not more 

 than twelve feet when finished, and toped down when 

 too tall. I may also add, that the ground proposed 

 from the easter lot, sweeping north-east, facing the 

 public road, should be planted and reared up as 

 standing timber trees ; and here for this purpose, 

 should be planted the oak, Spanish chesnut, Scotch 

 elm, ash, plane, spruce, silver and Scotch firs alter- 

 nately, to give variety to its look. Permit me here 

 to observe by the way, that w^ere a few belts, stripes. 



