1

down in time; or, if they are suffered to remain, may answer ordinary purposes, and will fave the better timber for extraordinary uses. Early planting is by far the best for dry foils: I generally finish the greater part of both evergreen and deciduous, about the end of January.

If there is any other information wanted by the Society, that I have omitted, and is in my power to give, let me know, and I will fend an answer by the return of poft.

I am, &c.

Mr. SAMUEL MORE.

ROBERT GIBBS.

THE

THE thanks of the Society were order◄ ed to George Rofs, Efq. for the following communication. He was requested hereafter to favour the Society with an account of the fuccefs which may attend his plantation; and the GOLD MEDAL was prefented to him as a mark of the Society's approbation of his fpirited attention to the planting Oaks, and other Foreft-trees, in Scotland.

SIR,

Conduit-freet, May 19, 1784.

WHEN a proper opportunity offers, you will be pleased to lay the enclosed certificate before the Honourable Society to which you are Secretary: it will fhew

them

pur

them we are not altogether idle in the northern parts of Scotland. About eighteen years ago, when I chafed the eftate of Cromarty, furrounded by the famous bay of that name, I found upwards of four hundred acres of full grown Scotch Firs, and among them feveral Oak and other Foreft trees, which led me to introduce Oak-plants, by cutting out the Firs, leaving a certain quantity for shelter to the Oaks; which fully answers my expectation, and will, I flatter myfelf, be followed by my neighbours; and, in process of time, muft prove a public benefit, especially in a country furrounded by the famous bay which the ancients called Portus Salutis.

I obferve, from last year's publication, you have had no correfpondents in North Britain; but I conclude no diftinction is made between South and North Britain; and you will obferve that fix volumes have been lately published in the name of a Mr. Wight, who furveyed the country

by

by order of the Commiffioners of annexed estates, which are not unworthy of your

IN answer to your letter of the 9th, defiring to be informed, for the informa

tion

tion of the Committee, of the prefent ftate of my young plantations at Cromarty, you will be pleased to know, that though I have not been there myself this fummer, my nephew, Mr. Gray, has, who reports that they are all in a very thriving condition, barring fome that in fo extensive a plantation have failed, for the renewal of which, orders have been given.

With refpect to the account you defire of the age and fize of the Firs and Oaks I found upon the eftate when I made the purchase, I beg leave to acquaint you that I found a large plantation, confisting of four hundred acres, fituated on the peninfula of that eftate, of the age of thirty years; and in cutting roads and walks through this plantation, feveral Oaks, Afh, and Elms, intermixed, and ftruggling in growth with the Firs, which fatisfied me that the foil would produce fuch trees; and therefore I proceeded in cutting down fome of the firs, and plant