[ 6 ] 



have been provided. Wherefore, fooner than lay 

 out of 4 or 5000I. for any length of time> he 

 will give more than its value for a lot that fuits 

 him. By the third report of the Land Revenue 

 CommifTioners, it appears, that there are 18,000 

 acres of land in Dean Foreft, Glouceflerlhire, de- 

 figned to be fet apart for inclofure, and the growth 

 of oak timber 5 but the method propofed by the 

 furveyors is not likely to be produdlive of fuch as 

 is mod valuable J thick planting, with timely 

 thinning, may produce ftrait boles, and, in a fuit- 

 able foil like this, large and long-lived timber ; 

 but to raife knees and crooks, requires a contrary 

 pradbice i which, if the fociety think it worth their 

 attention, I will endeavour to explain hereafter. In 

 the mean time, have inclofed fuch particulars re- 

 fpeding the famous Langley-Wood Oak, as may 

 ferve to ftimulate the poflelTors of thriving trees, to 

 preferve them carefully till they indicate approach- 

 ing decay; whenever that is obfervabie, even 

 though in parks and pleafure grounds, the axe 

 fhould be applied forthwith ; for it is a waite almoft 

 ■ as (hameful to leave fuch a tree as the Colthorp 

 Oak* to perifh, as it is to cut fourfcore young ones, 

 to fupply the place of one at full growth. It is not 

 the age, but the condition of the tree, however, that; 



• See Hunter's edition of Evelyn's Silva. 



fhoul4 



