the introduction of taste amongst the higher and middling classes." We cannot sufficiently admire Mr. Loudon's knowledge of the taste of the higher classes, or his advice how to improve it. We are such a tasteless stupid people, especially the higher classes, that it would fail, unless administered by the picturesque superintendance of Mr. Loudon in propria persona. Poor Ireland, how little either her capabilities or her people are known! I shall not follow Mr. Loudon further, or it might be said it was jalousie de metier, or two of a trade could not agree; but probably we only differ in this one point, for judging from his writings on this subject, I most cordially join him in his reprobation of the followers of Browne, of whom we have had too many, gentle and simple, for the last fifty years in Ireland. I regret to state, that their tame style has taken such firm possession, that any picturesque deviation from it is generally designated whim, caprice, flights of fancy, &c. &c.

On the other hand, I have seen some gentlemanlike sketching, that forcibly brings to my recollection some appropriate lines in Knight's Landscape:

"All art, by labour slowly is acquired; "The madman only fancies 'tis inspired. "The vain, rash upstart, thinks he can create, "E're yet his hand has learn'd to imitate; "While senseless dash and random flourish try "The place of skill and freedom to supply. "To improve, adorn, and polish, they profess; "But shave the goddess, whom they come to dress; "Level each broken bank, and shaggy mound, "And fashion all-to one unvaried round; "One even round, that ever gently flows, "Nor forms abrupt, nor broken colours knows;

"But wrapt all o'er in everlasting green,

"Makes one dull, vapid, smooth, unvaried scene. "Shaved to the brink, our brooks are taught to flow "Where no obtruding leaves or branches grow; "While clumps of shrubs bespot each winding vale, "Open alike to every gleam and gale;

"Each secret haunt and deep recess display'd, "And intricacy banished with its shade."

SECTION XVIII.

STATE OF NURSERIES IN THE COUNTY, AND EXTENT OF SALES.

THERE were formerly several eminent nurseries in this county, as may be perceived in section 17, but though they may not be diminished in number, they certainly are in the extent of sales, owing very much to almost every gentleman maintaining a nursery of his own, and without this it is in vain to think of planting extensively. Except very great designs are in contemplation, I would advise a purchase of seedlings from the nurseries, in preference to sowing seed, and in general never to permit forest trees, with some few exceptions, to remain longer in the nursery if (as it should be) it is rich ground, than one season; if in poor soil they may remain two summers, but seldom longer. At present there is an excellent small nursery at Kilchrist, lately the property of a very ingenious honest man, Martin Larkin. It is contiued by his widow in the same neat style. Two or three small nurseries at Ballinasloe;-a small one at Mount Bellew bridge;-one or two near Bellevue ;-one at Gal

way, and several small ones in the neighbourhood of Loughrea. There may be some more that I do not recollect. The demand for fruit trees or curious shrubs is very trifling; those who want either, usually procure them in the Dublin nurseries. The nurseries, with the exception of Mrs. Larkin's, are kept in a slovenly state; this, though it may appear to hurt only the eye, is very injurious to trees that are destined to bleak exposures; for if high weeds are permitted to grow up with them, they are rendered too tender to bear sudden exposure, and the roots of couch grass and other perennial weeds are moved along with them, and are highly injurious to small trees. Another very blameable practice of many nursery-men, is planting trees too thick in the nursery; most kinds are planted out at two or three inches from each other, and the rows frequently not more than a foot asunder, often much nearer. When trees are permitted to remain two years or more in this crowded state, it is highly pernicious, and is the chief cause of the failure in many cases, where the fault is laid at the door of the poor planter. It is very much the practice with nursery-men to put out one year old seedlings at once into the rows where they are intended to stand until four years old; by this practice, most kinds of trees, especially Larch and Scotch fir (naturally inclined to have a scanty supply of roots,) are very unfit to plant in shallow soils, as from want of room to spread, and the roots of seedlings never shortened when planting, as they should be, they run down perpendicularly, and when moved to shallow ground at an advanced age, the roots are obliged to be cut short; if, on the contrary, they were a second time transplanted, and had sufficient room, they would be well worth twice the price they usually sell for. The nursery-men say, with some truth, that few, if any, would give a remunerating

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price for this additional trouble. Most of my friends, when they are going to purchase trees, enquire only where they can get the cheapest trees at the age they wish to purchase: They in general look more to the head than to the roots; to the length than to the thickness of the stem.

SECTION XIX.

PRICE OF TIMBER, AND STATE OF IT IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE is very little of what can be called timber sold in this county. The sale is mostly confined to that of ash; even for this the market is soon overstocked, and water carriage is generally too distant to assist the sale.* It is not easy to state the rate at which timber sells, for it is usually by bulk. Where ash is sold by the foot, it is frequently so low as two shillings per cubic foot; a few of a large scantling, for particular purposes, may be had as high as four shillings. Firs of good size at about two shillings per foot. Elm 2s. 6d. to 8s. 6d. Oak 3s. to 4s. 6d. but very few of any considerable size in the county; of course the quantity of bark is very trifling. It has been lately at a very low price; birch and black sallow bark at about half the price of that of oak; the first reckoned much superior by the tanners. It is not a little extraordinary that the use of larch bark is totally unknown; yet in many parts of England it sells readily for about half the price of oak bark, and in Scotland the duke of

The immense quantity of large timber of all sorts blown down by the dreadful hurricane on the 5th of December, 1822, has lowered the price of it considerably.

Athol sold 100 tons of this bark for 10. per ton. Colonel Hays states that about 24 oak trees of 25 years growth, badly managed, will produce a barrel of bark of 12 stones. Alder, when it can be procured of a good size, is much esteemed for bolsters for cars, and for bushing the eye of the lower mill-stone round the spindle, as it never takes fire by friction. In handles for tools it does not blister the hands. I have seen it made into tables, and a side-board, &c. very beautiful. Many are often distressed for laths that have Scotch fir of their own fit for this purpose, but, from an idea that none but foreign timber will answer, have never tried them. I had the experiment tried at Bellevue, by which it was ascertained that a piece of a tree four feet long, and about ten inches in diameter, would make upwards of 600 laths, besides the top and branches. In general only one length can be procured from each tree fit for the purpose, on account of the knots; but, as many lengths as are free from this objection can be used equally well as the best. I had larch tried for this purpose, and contrary to the opinion of the workmen, it split into excellent laths, which are probably of much superior duration to those from Scotch fir. Much use is made of kishes, which sell for about five shillings each; some made of small sallows, 33. 4d. others of strong hazel rods, 6s. each; it takes about 200 sallow rods to make the kish. Rafters or couples for cottages from 2s. 6d. to 6s. Ribs, or stretchers over the couples, from 4s. to 6s. per dozen. Rods for making baskets 2s. to 3s. per 100. Scollops 6d. to 8d. Small kishes or baskets for horses from 1s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. or 3s. A hurdle, of which much use is made for floors, from 2s. to 6s. Bog timber, such as is usually dug up out of bogs, is in great request; it consists of oak or fir; the first is greatly esteemed for any work executed