In spring, it will be well to trim off the first year's shoots (though not necessary), and replace the plants which have failed, with fresh cuttings.

THE second summer, the intervals must be kept stirred, the drills hoed, and the plants earthed up, as before, against winter.

THE ensuing spring, the stools must again be cleared; although the twigs, as yet, will be of little value. But the third cutting they will produce marketable ware, and will increase, in quantity and value, until the profits arising from them will be almost incredible. In situations which the Ozier affects, and in countries where the twigs are in demand, Ozier grounds have been known to pay an annual rent of ten pounds an acre! Under ordinary circumstances, they will, if properly managed, pay four or five.

IN Yorkshire, the "wands" are sold by the bundle; but in Glocestershire, where Ozier grounds abound, upon the banks of the Severn, the grounds are let, under lease, to basket makers, who keep

up

the fences, and take upon themselves the entire management during the term of the lease.

SECTION THE FOURTH

WOODED WASTES.

NO inconsiderable part of the face of this country, taken collectively, is disfigured by lands bearing this description*; the remedy, however, and the disgrace may soon be removed.

is easy,

If the soil and situation be favorable to grass or arable produce, grub up the bushes, and clear away the rubbish; but on the contrary, if the land, either from its own nature, or from the proportion of woodiness which has already got possession of its surface, can be more profitably converted into Woodland, fill up the vacant spaces, in the following manner :

THE first business is to fence it round, and the next to cut down the underwood to the stub, and set up the timber trees. If the vacancies be small, they ought to be trenched with the spade; if large, they may be fallowed with the plow; or, in either

See page 119.

case, the plants may be put in, without any other preparation, than digging holes to receive them : however, with this kind of management, success can only be hoped for, while under that it may be secured.

THE species of wood and the mode of propagation depend upon locality, and the species of plantation required. If underwood be an object, the smaller chasms may be filled up, by layering; for which purpose young shoots ought to be left, when the brush wood is felled, for layers: if timber alone be the desired object, seedling plants may be put in, and acorns or other seeds dibbled in the interspaces: Whether the Wood, the Grove, or the Coppice, be intended, the large spaces ought to be filled up in that way; or seeds, only, may be sown in drills, and treated as before directed; or they may be scattered in the random manner, and the seedlings kept clean by weeding and hand hoeing; or the fostering care may be left to nature alone indeed, in this kind of way, Woods and Timber Groves may be propagated.

A GENERAL REMARK ON THE PRACTICE OF

PLANTING.

WE do not, however, mean to recommend to our readers, here, practices depending on chance,

after having been solicitous to point out those which may be pursued with certainty.

GENTLEMEN, when they set about forming plantations, or raising Woodlands, ought to consider, that the labour, the fencing, the seeds or plants, the rent, and other contingent charges of the land, their own present credit, and their future fame, are staked. If, after waiting eight or ten years, a miscarriage take place, the whole is lost. On the contrary, if, by judicious methods and careful management, no material failure happen, the prize is won; not only the principal but interest is secured: and this by a small additional expence; the trifling difference in labour bestowed upon the after management, only; for the labour in the first instance, rent, &c. &c. &c. are in both cases similar.

A HINT RESPECTING THE MANAGER OF

PLANTATIONS.

MUCH depends upon the person to whose care and management plantations are entrusted. If a Gentleman has not leisure, nor inclination, to attend to them himself, he ought to appoint a man of experience; and, if possible, one who is settled near the seat of planting; and who is likely to enjoy his appointment for some length of time. For

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he who plants ought to expect to nurse; and having planted he ought to nurse, because his own credit is at a stake. On the contrary, a Gentleman who is continually changing his planter, must never expect to see his plantations succeed; for the credit of the present rises upon the miscarriage of his predecessor: he has even an interest in neglecting to nurse; because his own planting will be thereby set off to advantage. On the other hand, being without hopes of seeing his own labors succeed, he loses a necessary stimulus : he is not sufficiently interested; having a ready excuse, in the neglect of his successor. These are not theoretical deductions, but are drawn from observation.