The Journal of Agriculture Volume 11 (Paperback)

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. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ...point I seem to have been misunderstood, in at least one respectable instance; and, as it will very distinctly introduce my subject, I may here advert to it. I said, " As a general position, shelter is, in Scotland, of the greatest value. It is nearly a national object. It might reclaim many thousand acres, that without it can never be reclaimed, and almost incalculably improve many thousands more. A survey of the kingdom, with this particular object in view, would not be out of place;" and the editor of this Journal added, " This is a good hint, and the attention of the gentlemen connected with the great Trigonometrical Survey should be directed to it." Both have been misunderstood. I meant merely, that it would be justifiable to go to the expense of a survey by scientific men, for the purpose of suggesting where and how shelter might be applied most beneficially, but leaving it to every proprietor to consider the suggestion, and act upon it or not as his views of interest or convenience might dictate; and the suggestion of the editor was more economical still. But something very different has been understood. It has been doubted " how far it would be expedient for government to interfere in this manner;" and concluded, that " in this free country, it would not do to force proprietors to plant against their will, nor to plant and ornament the properties of the indolent and careless at the public expense." Both these ideas are wide of my intentions. I recommend shelter as I would any other improvement, for consideration generally, but for adoption only where it may be thought good; and under this explanation, I think the great and general plan of shelter I recommend, cannot be recommended too earnestly; and that no measure could seem more...