Some Notes o)i British Forests. 107 



of fir timber ; all old buildings built of oak, a proof that it formerly 

 abounded in the county. Chester — Certainly diminished, aud prin 

 cipally on account of the large importations of deal timber at Liverpool 

 which is carried to most parts of this county, at a small expense, by 

 canals. Cornwall— Increased, through the present taste for building 

 new houses and improving farmhouses and offices. Derby — The 

 consumption of oak timber for building within this county is altogether 

 diminished. The additional price of oak — nearly doubled within these 

 forty years— arises from two circumstances : the decrease of the woods 

 and the alteration in the farming of land. Devon — The use of oak 

 for building or repairing farms is nearly as it has been. In general, 

 oak is only used where elm would go to decay, as oak is double the 

 value of elm. Fir timber is mostly used in building and repairing 

 good houses. Another report states that the supply is diminished, owing 

 to its not being properly encouraged. Dorset — Decreased in building. 

 Durham — Fir timber is generally used in building, and is imported at 

 Stockton, Sunderland, and Newcastle ; and little oak used for that 

 purpose, fir timber being much cheaper. Essex — Diminished in con- 

 sequence of the increased price. Gloucester — Owing to the universal 

 use of deal in the generality of buildings, the consumption of oak is 

 certainly not so great as it was. Hants —The consumption of oak in 

 house building is much lessened, from the general use of fir timber. 

 Hereford — Oak more scarce and valuable. Stone and brick are used 

 where formerly timber was. Hertford — Oak is the timber generally 

 used in this county, and no other timber will answer the purposes to 

 which it is applied. Beech has been used, but unless the soil is 

 remarkably dry the damp causes the planks to rot very soon. Kent 

 — The use of oak is lessened by the introduction of fir. Lancaster — 

 Use diminished, fir being cheaper. Lincoln — It is believed that 

 the consumption of oak timber is in a small degree increased, 

 owing to the increased value of fir timber from Norway, &c. 

 However, a second report states the reverse, and states as a 

 reason that the trees have not come to their growth, and that fir 

 is used to supply the deficiency. Monmouth— Sale diminished, fir 

 timber being obtainable at a much lower rate. Northumberland — 

 Chiefly supplied coastwise, and by foreign oak timber. Nottingham 

 — Increase; cause, the increase of manufactures. With more 

 probability of correctness, other reports state a decrease, owing to the 

 low price of fir timber, and other causes. Oxford— Increased, owing 

 to the many additions to buildings and enclosures in the county 

 Eutland — Much the same. Salop — Increased, owing to the 

 erection of a great number of public and private buildings. 

 Somerset — Decreased, owing to the use of deal and elm. Stafford — 

 Decreased, owing to the great importation of deals. Suffolk — Uses 



