Perhaps there is no district, possessing such a limited degree of commerce, in which nurserymen are so thickly situated, as in that line of country which embraces the shires of Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin. About twenty years ago, the trade in this quarter was profitable, because it was in the hands of a few; but no sooner had the number of nurserymen increased, than the prosperity of the profession began to wane. Year after year they have been anticipating a favourable change; but, instead of any occurring, during the last ten years particularly, their business has been gradually decreasing, till it is now reduced to a degree never before known. It might be thought that nurserymen must prosper as long as the country in which they reside presents ample room for the operation of the planter; but the present state of things shows that their increase has not been attended by a corresponding quantity of waste land being planted, and that it is quite possible the profession may almost cease to exist, though the half of the country remains wild and bare.
