Author of creation has wonderfully adapted our fenfes to the enjoyment of its delights; the eye is gratified by tints of verdure, and the ear by the mufic of the woods and the mellowness of echoand both by the voice and majefty of a forest roused by the breath of Nature. Our plan therefore has two objects, UTILITY and ORNAMENT; they are nearly allied, however, as labour and recreation, or as the use and the ornament of drefs.

But before we give directions for raifing a wood, or ornamenting the face of a country, we must first treat feparately of each individual tree and fhrub adapted to our purpose; and, preparatory to this, give a comprehenfive view of the operations inci

But before the young planter put his foot upon

the fpade, we beg leave to caution him in the ftrongest terms against a WANT OF SPIRIT. A flo

venly planter ranks among the most extravagant order of flovens: the labour, the plants, and the ground are thrown away; befides the confequent difgrace, not only to the individual himself, but to the profeffion in general. Anxious and interested as we are in the caufe of planting, we would rather want pupils than have them país through our hands unfinished: we therefore reject all fuch as have not induftry, fpirit, and perfeverance, to go through with what they undertake; and we recommend to fuch as are poffeffed of these valuable qualifications, to begin upon a fmall fcale, and to let their feminary, their nursery, and their plantations increase with their experience.

Whilft, however, we caution against entering immaturely upon the bufinefs of planting, we cannot refrain from mentioning the PLEASURES which refult from it. How rational, and to a contemplative mind how delightful, to observe the operations of Nature ;-to trace her in every ftage, from the feed to the perfected plant; and, from beneath the leaf-stalk of this, through the flower-bud, the flower, and the feed-veffel, to the feed again! Man must be employed; and how more agreeably than in converfing with Nature, and in seeing the works of his own hands, affifted by her, rifing into perfection.

Nor

Nor do we mean to hold out pleasure alone as an inducement to planting;-its PROFITS are great, when properly executed, and this idea adds folidity to the enjoyment. Pleafure alone may fatiate; but profit and pleasure united feldom fail of producing a lafting gratification.

There is another incitement to planting, which alone has been generally held, out as a fufficient inducement. We are forry to confefs, however, that we know too much of mankind, to believe that PATRIOTISM, unaided by perfonal intereft, will ever produce a fupply of fhip-timber to this or any other nation. Far be it from us, however fashionable it may be, to speak irreverently of patriotism; we confider it as the nobleft attribute of the human mind. Young men, to whom we more particularly addrefs ourselves, are feldom without fome fhare of it; and we flatter ourselves that this virtuous principle, affifted by the pleasure, the profit, and the POPULARITY which attends planting,-ornamental plantations more particularly,-will induce the young men of the prefent age to study and practife it; not more for themselves than for future gene

rations.

PROPAGATING FROM SEED.-There are four ways of raifing from feed the trees and fhrubs adapted to our purpose:

It will be expected, perhaps, before we begin to treat of the different methods of fowing, that we give fome directions for GATHERING and preferving feeds. Little, however, can be faid upon the fubject under this general head; different fpecies requiring a difference in management. We may, nevertheless, venture to fay, that all feeds ought to be fully matured upon their native plants; and we may further add, that fuch as drop fpontaneously from the feed-veffel, or are fhed by a moderate wind, or other gentle agitation, are preferable to those which are torn from the tree immaturely. The feeds of scarce or valuable plants may be gathered thus: As foon as they begin to fall of themfelves, fpread a cloth under the plant, and agitate it moderately, until all that are ripe have fallen ;and repeat this whenever a fecond and a third fpontaneous fall takes place.

The art of PRESERVING feeds refts chiefly upon that of curing them immediately after gathering. If grafs were put into the ftack immediately after mowing, or corn threshed out at harveft and laid in heaps, it would prefently heat and become entirely fpoiled. So it is with the feeds of trees and fhrubs :

therefore

therefore they ought, as foon as they are gathered, to be spread thin in an airy place, and be turned as often as a close attention fees neceffary. When the fuperfluous moisture has evaporated, they may be collected into bulk; remembering, however, to run them every now and then down a fkreen, or fhake them in a fieve, that their brightnefs and fweetness may be preferved. Some of the larger feeds, acorns especially, are difficult to cure, and require a very ftrict attention. It must also be remembered, that mice and other vermin are dangerous enemies to feeds. Those which are particularly valuable, may be hung up in bags to the ceiling of a dry room.

In procuring feeds from the SHOPS, or from ABROAD, fome caution is neceffary. A reputable feedfman, and a correfpondent who is himself a judge of the quality of feeds, are the best general guards against impofition and disappointment.

There are feveral ways of TRYING THE QUALITY of feeds. The heavier kinds may be proved in water; fuch as swim are at least doubtful. The lighter forts may be tried by biting them if they break abruptly between the teeth, they are generally good; but if they be tough and leathery, they are moftly the contrary. If when crushed, or feparated by a knife or fciffars, they appear firm, white, and farinaceous, they may generally be efteemed good; but if on the contrary they be fpungy and difcoloured,

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