An Essay on the Origin and Operation of the Dry Rot; With a View to It's Prevention or Cure. to Which Are Annexed, Suggestions on the Cultivation of

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1818. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. Think of your ancestors: think of posterity. GAi.gAcus. 1. The Quantity of Timber in the United Kingdom is greatly diminished, while the Demand is increased. If the United Kingdom were now overrun with wood, so that every means of consuming it were in reality an advantage to the country, the destructive powers of the dry rot would not be so much to be regretted, as they are at present. But the case is the very reverse of this. On account of the vast increase of our manufactories, the consumption of timber is also greatly increased; so that even could we suppose the country to be as completely forested now, as it was some hundred years ago, this would be insufficient to meet the present demand, without reducing the quantity very rapidly, or having recourse to planting. Yet from the notion, that timber will grow only in particular situations, many are deterred from planting; which has also been checked by bringing into cultivation lands, that have for many years been covered, sheltered, and fertilized by the growth of timber. But the agriculture of the country has been little increased in extent of surface by this proceeding: for extensive tracts of land, formerly cultivated, have now, in consequence of the loss of these very woods, become more exposed and bleak, H H and have been rendered barren by this exposure. Thus, while the woodlands have been converted into cornfields, the cornfields have been converted into barren ground; as is evident from the marks of the plough yet to be seen on many extensive plains, now covered with heath and furze, and not yielding a shilling a year per acre. The repeated political changes in the constitution of our country, before as well as since the Conquest, have also tended in succession, though from di...