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ever be kept in view in the consideration of this subject, that 

 live tissue cannot form any organic union with that which is 

 dead : I have various specimens of wood to prove it. Plants 

 are never healthy, except when their stems are clean ; and in 

 I order to bring that to perfection, I know not any mode so 

 effective as the admission of sun and air. I have effected it 

 with my own. Where sun and air are denied, that parasitical 

 plant, moss, will grow : light and air will kill this moss, and 

 the tree will push out fresh twigs and leaves, a sure and certain 

 sign of health. Evelyn recommends rubbing and washing the 

 boles, but this must be very limited in its operation with a 

 forest ; and even it be once done, it will be necessary to do it 

 again the next year ; but if sun and air be admitted, it will 

 not be necessary. I have kept my own trees as they were 

 planted for a few years, until they had acquired good upright 

 stems — the object sought after by pruning — and when I have 

 brought them to that state, I then commence cutting away, 

 to enable them to swell out into wood ; and my trees being at 

 the distances of three, four, and five yards from each other, 

 they have acquired root-hold to defy all blasts. Though a 

 difference of opinion may exist as to the profit to be actually 

 realized, enough is shown, I think, to prove that a liberal 

 expenditure in planting, and subsequent management, will be 

 amply repaid with interest and compound interest to the 

 family, by the increased growth of the trees, and all other 

 indirect and incidental advantages. These are, the cubical 

 feet of wood — the beauty — the shelter to adjoining land in a 

 mountainous district — the shelter to the domain — as well as 

 affording covers for game ; these advantages are sufficient 

 to induce every one to plant; and besides, a well timbered 

 estate more readily finds a purchaser. 



It has been said that " England expects every man to do 

 his duty," and I know of no better mode than planting and 

 taking care of oak trees. The office of Surveyor of Woods 



VOL. II. F 



