Bark Peeling in Herefordshire. 



The peeling of oak iu this coimty generally begins about the 18th 

 or 20th of April, and although a start was made even before that date 

 this year, owing to a long continuance of ungenial weather and harsh 

 north-easterly winds, the stripping was by no means general until the 

 second week in May. 



Herefordshire being an important bark-producing] county, a con- 

 siderable amount of woodland revenue is derived from this source, 

 and being of a superior quality is eagerly sought after by tanners and 

 bark merchants, and can be sold in any quantity ; large falls have 

 annually taken place for a great number of years, and in consequence 

 quantities have diminished, principally in the hedgerow class. This 

 year, owing to diminished supplies and an increase in the price of 

 other tanning material, prices have advanced about £1 per ton ; £7 

 per ton of 22 cwt., delivered from the bark ranges to the rick, is being 

 realized, £Q being the highest price last year. 



For the information of foresters that store their bark, and after- 

 wards chop and bag it, I may briefly state the system adopted here 

 Having completed negotiations with the purchaser, and ascertained 

 where he intends ricking, the bark as it is cured is loaded at the 

 ranges, and delivered at once, 22 cwt. to each ton being allowed for 

 shrinking weight in the rick, which is afterwards thatched. The 

 most extensive buyer is Mr. Hugh Brown, tanner, Edinburgh, who 

 has an agent in this district. The peeling here is, with few exceptions, 

 done by piece work, prices ranging from 30s. to 40s. per ton of 22 cwt., 

 the latter figure being for coppice bark. It has been suggested that 

 opinions be interchanged as to the best method of peeling bark, 

 whether by day wages or piece work. As I have had some experience 

 both ways, I venture to say that in cases where a forester can give 

 undivided attention to this branch of the work, day wages will suit 

 very well, especially where ornamental plantations are to be thinned ; 

 the forester being always at hand, proper precautions will be taken so 

 that no tree which is to stand shall be damaged by others in falling. 

 This is one of the drawbacks on piece work, as it not unfrequently 

 happens that in trying to do as much as possible, precautions are 

 neglected, and a few boughs are broken from a tree that is to stand, 

 which by a little forethought might be prevented. Our usual practice 

 here, however, is by piece work, as on an estate where a large quantity 

 3f underwood has to be disposed of in different forms a forester 

 cannot give the personal attention to the work which is necessary 

 by day wages; in short, all our work here, if at all practicable, is done 



