Prices of Timber in Kent. 347 



witli tlie leaves of the lemon tree had alone succeeded, but never those 

 made with the leaves of the orange or lime tree ; and that Agricola 

 and Thuiining had erroneously imagined that the leaves themselves 

 shot up into trees, their midrib becoming the stem, and the collateral 

 ribs or veins the branches. It is probable that the well-known 

 multiplication of the Indian fig gave the first idea of this experiment; 

 for every joint of that plant stuck into the earth, and pro]3erly 

 nurtured, throws out roots and grows. As these joints were 

 commonly considered to be leaves, people tried whether other leaves 

 would not grow in the same manner. Luckily those of the lemon 

 tree were chosen for this purpose, and what was expected took place. 

 Thus from a false hypothesis have new truths been often derived ; 

 and thus was Kepler, by a false and even improbable opinion, led to 

 an assertion, afterwards confirmed, that the periodical revolutions of 

 the planets were in proportion to their distance from the sun. But 

 the raising of trees from leaves was too rashly declared to be a method 

 that might be generally employed, for it is certain that it now seldom 

 succeeds. W. \\, 



Prices of Timber in Kent. 



The annual sale of oak timber, blackrinds, and oak-top fagots 

 upon the Surrenden-Dering estate, in the parishes of Plucklev, 

 Little Chart, Smarden, Westwell, and ]^)ethersden, took place on the 

 26th nltimo, when about 180 lots were submitted to public competi- 

 tion by ]\Iessrs. Bayley and Son, of Ashford. The timber was not of 

 tlio class usually offered on this estate, as most of the last winter's 

 falls of underwood, from which tlie thinnings are made, were upon 

 the inferior woods of the estate. The company was, however, a large 

 one, and the sale correspondingly brisk. The oak timber ranged in 

 price from Is. 6d. to 2s. 8d. per foot; blackrinds from 2s. 6d. to 9s. 

 each ; and oak-top fagots from 2os. to oOs. per 100. The terms of 

 payment in this locality are, for purchases of less than £5, prompt 

 cash ; £5 and upwards, half the purchase-money at tlie time of the sale, 

 and tlie remainder early in October. The demand for tinrber of all 

 kinds has been good throughout the season. Hop-poles have not, 

 however, attained the prices of former years. Norwegian fir polesj 

 so extensively used in the best hop plantations for lows, and for 

 carrying the wire and string now employed in hop-growing, have 

 commanded very high prices upon the JNIaidstone and Faversham- 

 wharves. Ordinary home-grown hop-poles have realized from 10s 

 to 3Gs. per 100, according to length and quality of wood. Ash and 

 sweet chestnut have been much sought after. 



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