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can only, I think, succeed under the patronage of men of rank 

 and large property, and with the protection of government. 

 From it reports might be made from time to time, and issuing 

 from a body of men incapable of deception, it would have the 

 desired national good. Such society I am ready at any time to 

 join. If an Arboricultural Society was once formed, it would 

 not be a difficult thing, I would hope, for that body to range 

 the royal forests, and obtain pecuniary assistance from govern- 

 ment ; to direct observations to be annually made as to the 

 growth of different kinds of trees — their distance from 

 each other — their circumference — and when any were taken 

 down, to preserve transverse sections, from which it would be 

 calculated what interest they were paying — and in addition, 

 to receive reports from private individuals, from time to time. 



Money may be acquired in mills, factories, &c. &c. ; but 

 agriculture and arboriculture improve property, in untold ways, 

 without inflicting any one evil on mankind, or the brute crea- 

 tion, and delight the man of taste. The increase of forest 

 trees does not bear any proportion to their destruction. Men 

 are in general sufficiently alive to their own interest, pro- 

 vided the matter is fully demonstrated, which has not per- 

 haps been hitherto done. How often has it happened that 

 when any wood has been ordered to be cut down, the owner 

 has expressed great surprise at its value, so little idea have 

 men in general of its actual increase ! 



Finally : this subject I would name as a kind of moral 

 virtue, which recommends itself by the pleasure that attends 

 it. Nothing can be more delightful than to entertain ourselves 

 with prospects of our own making, and to walk under the 

 shades our own industry has raised. The restless activity of 

 the mind of man leads it to require some object on which its 

 powers may be exercised, without which it preys upon itself, 

 and becomes miserable. If I am incorrect in anything 

 which I have stated, I shall be glad to be told of it, so that 



