GROWING GOLD. 61 



Standing at the north entrance of this 

 park, a stranger might exclaim, what a fine 

 show of timber; a closer examination would 

 not confirm this opinion, as there is a con- 

 siderable number of pollards in some parts of 

 the park ; there are, nevertheless, some good 

 looking trees, but, with trifling exceptions, 

 none of them will increase in value. When 

 large trees arrive at this state, the timber 

 loses much of its toughness, and frequently 

 receives great damage from felling, however 

 carefully or skilfully performed ; and if the 

 decrease of capital is estimated from this loss, 

 and also from decay, from the time the trees 

 arrive at full growth, and if the loss of interest 

 is also computed, these ancient ornaments 

 are of the most expensive description. In 

 reality it is bad taste to endeavour to preserve 

 that which nature has assigned to decay : there 

 are some who advocate the preservation of 

 these vegetable mementos of the "olden time," 

 who ought to know the period in which saplings 

 will grow to the same size ; therefore, why not 

 remove these old trees and replant the land ? 



