GROWING GOLD. 



91 



in planting trees than where the business is 

 less practised. It appears to be the general 

 system to mix all kinds of trees, and the 

 situations were frequently the worst that 

 could be selected ; the size of the trees when 

 set out did not correspond, nor were they 

 close enough, — the land being sandy, the 

 roots and fibres had but a very slight^ hold 

 of the soil; and the opening which the 

 oaks and other deciduous trees make whilst 

 they are leafless, gives the wind ample power 

 over the spruce and Scotch trees, effectually 

 to impede their growth. 



A large plantation of Scotch firs, set in 

 rows from four to five feet apart, looked very 

 sickly and thriftless, although in a valley. 

 Planters do not heed what the wind millers 

 tell them, — that the wind is sharper in a 

 valley than on a level country. The system 

 of two pines and one oak was observed during 

 the day's ride from plantation to plantation. 

 Some good oak trees were indeed observed 

 on one estate, and only one ; and in perfect 



