30 



GROWING GOLD. 



plantations in a level country, young trees 

 planted four feet apart, and sometimes at a 

 greater distance, all fast growing trees, which 

 average, when full grown, from one hundred 

 and fifty to two hundred feet ; the deficiency 

 of the growth of them excites surprise in the 

 owners, and the inferiority of the soil is fre- 

 quently considered the cause, when, in reality, 

 it is bad management. If a richly sheltered 

 valley is planted at the same time, and with 

 trees the same distance apart, the trees may 

 perhaps grow very well, but had double the 

 number per acre been set out on hill tops and 

 in small plantations, there probably would 

 have been much less difference than may be 

 supposed in the growth of the trees up to a 

 certain period, although it must not be con- 

 cealed that few such situations can be expected 

 to grow trees to maturity, which have a great 

 length of stem. In the Tankerville case, 

 curiosity is somewhat raised to learn the parti- 

 culars, because many planters appear to fancy 

 all their duty is comprised in a very few words ; 



"To make a show their only game ; 

 The picturesque their only aim." 



