GROWING GOLD. 



55 



plantations, as it tends so materially to di- 

 minish their value. Yet, we repeat, it is used 

 by the planters of the present day as if it 

 were equal, if not superior, to oak timber for 

 general purposes. 



Matthews reviews Billington's practice 

 in Dean Forest somewhat sharply; indeed 

 he has a good title to do so, if the system 

 pursued is not better than that which is 

 practised in the Royal Parks near London. 

 Yet, instead of correcting him, he falls into 

 an error equally glaring. The larch are re- 

 commended to be preserved, notwithstanding 

 his account of the inferiority of the timber, 

 and the oaks to be cut out ; probably, if the 

 larch had been trimmed on the sides nearest 

 the stunted oaks," and these trees cut down, 

 they would, the following year, have produced 

 large shoots from the stubs, which, in a few 

 years, would have grown to the height of the 

 larch, but it is seldom, if ever the case, that 

 in mixed plantations, they grow to their full 

 and natural altitude. 



