GROWING GOLD. 49 



ciency of size, as there are trees which would 

 cut into boards of the same length and width. 

 If the qualities are equal (which is implied by 

 the continuance of the formation of plantations 

 of pines) how does it happen that the agents 

 sell the produce of the estates of which they 

 have the care, at so inferior a price, in lots, 

 and not by measure, as oak timber is sold 1 

 The truth is, the quality is so inferior they are 

 glad of a customer, and will generally take 

 any price offered. Although many inquiries 

 have been made, only one person could be 

 found who had bought home-grown fir by 

 measure : he gave the magnificent sum of six- 

 pence per foot ! ! one seventh of the price of 

 oak. Notwithstanding this, land agents con- 

 tinue to purchase larch, Scotch, and spruce 

 fir plants, of the nurserymen, as if Britain 

 had no native trees worth cultivating. They 

 appear spell-bound to an erroneous system ; 

 one of them has even ventured to declare that 

 no improvement can be made and no inquiry 

 is necessary ; although, he could get no more 

 for larch poles of eighteen years standing, 



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