Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... " If," says he, (p. 9) " the population of Great Britain is doubling itself every fifty years, where is the supply of food to come from in one hundred years hence, if the waste lands be not improved by forestry? This is a question which demands serious consideration, and must, upon reflection, point out the influence of planting upon the general welfare of the country. If any piece of waste land, after being drained and ploughed, will yield six bolls per acre in a state unsheltered by forest trees, the same land will yield at least ten bolls per acre if judiciously sheltered by trees. And frpm this we are bound to conclude that the inhabitants of the country have a right to expect that such a state of things should exist, seeing that in so many cases they are compelled to leave their native land from the want of such a state of things, and to expend their money upon works of the very same nature in a foreign country. Were proprietors of waste lands to lay off the same in a judicious manner with plantations, the money which is now carried away by industrious men to America would be spent at home upon their estates. And not only is the community at large benefited by an extended system of improvement, but every proprietor who will plant forest trees not only gives shelter to his fields, but, at the same time, greatly enhances the value of his estate." Surely, then, it is the duty of every Irishman who wishes well to his country, to promote such a change in the law as would greatly facilitate the introduction of a new and profitable description of produce into the country. Let a beginning once be made, and there will be multitudes to follow whenever a profit is to be realised. It cannot be alleged that, during the last ninety-six years, the...
