146 



GROWING GOLD. 



subject, no doubt evidence will be offered to 

 prove that the rate of growth of oak trees is 

 not exaggerated, therefore the profits of its 

 cultivation are not exceeded in the foregoing 

 calculations. 



It is an extraordinary circumstance that 

 an inquiry of this kind has not been made 

 by the office of woods and forests, and pub- 

 lished for the information of the public, as 

 the most accurate statements of the age of 

 growing oak trees could be produced by it. 

 This humble attempt to supply the deficiency 

 is given regardless of the contemptuous refusal 

 of information from many private sources. 



It is deeply lamented that better speci- 

 mens of oak trees of a more advanced growth 

 have not been obtained to ground further 

 calculations upon : many others have been 

 seen, but there is reason to suspect the 

 accuracy of the statements of the age of many 

 of them. Enough, however, is given to prove, 

 beyond a doubt, that very large profits are 



