106 



GROWINCx GOLD. 



The outside trees would probably require 

 putting straight and treading round the roots, 

 particularly if there had been any rough 

 winds during the first spring and summer. 



The number of trees per acre will perhaps 

 be objected to, as wasteful and useless, but 

 it must be remembered, the remains of the 

 woods which have descended to the present 

 generation have been subject to periodical 

 thinnings for an indefinite period; in proof 

 of which, most local histories of wood-land 

 property furnish accounts of great falls of 

 timber, at various periods ; the young trees 

 which grew amongst thena were sheltered by 

 the old ones, and formed a more complete 

 screen for the leading shoots than so large an 

 assemblage of them. It is to be remembered, 

 that in the open and exposed parts of the 

 wood-land there was a succession of thorns, 

 hazel, &c. springing up, which completely 

 protected the oak saplings. 



