GROWING GOLD. 93 



folding sheep with split ash and oak poles is 

 becoming general, and renders this arrange- 

 ment the more necessary, and compels wood 

 agents to alter their plans, as woven hurdles 

 are more expensive in the end, and cannot 

 be repaired. It is admitted by all writers 

 that trees increase at a greater rate as they 

 grow larger ; therefore, if an acre of ash 

 poles be cut at twelve years' growth, they 

 probably are increasing at twelve times 

 greater rate per annum than during the first 

 year of their growth ; consequently, by cutting 

 them at this age, there is a great loss to the 

 owner. 



They who take the trouble to investigate, 

 will easily satisfy themselves that the two 

 crops, namely timber and underwood, cannot 

 be grown to perfection upon the same land, at 

 the same time ; one of them must suffer ; the 

 hazel, thorns, ash, &c. will not grow without 

 light and air. The leading shoot of no fast 

 growing tree can ascend unless completely 

 sheltered. 



