AND THEIR CULTURE. 



animal is forced from the open fields by deep falls of 

 snow. The holly, the hawthorn, and the briar, pos- 

 sess all the properties that can be required in under- 

 wood ; they produce berries, afford shelter, and, of all 

 the natives of the forest, are the most effectual bar- 

 riers against the midnight inroads of the poacher, 

 as they wound and tear whoever comes unwarily in 

 contact with them. Even the flower plants which 

 have been enumerated, bear seeds from which some 

 or other of the flying tribes derive part of their live- 

 lihood. The thistle itself, which retains its downy 

 seeds during the winter months, furnishes the great- 

 er part of the goldfinch's subsistence throughout 

 that portion of the year. Thus we find, that we 

 cannot plant underwood with a view to ornament, 

 without at the same time making provision for the 

 encouragement and protection of game, and of such 

 other animals as almost every proprietor will consi- 

 der desirable inhabitants of his plantations. 



When the principal object is, however, to increase 

 and preserve game, there are several other kinds of 

 plants which may with great advantage be intermix- 

 ed with the foregoing. Of these the Hazel deserves 

 particularly to be cultivated, wherever the soil is fa- 

 vourable to it. This plant may either be raised in 

 the nursery, and removed to its final destination^ 



