352 



THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 



and pp. 245 — 247). The details of the scheme of re -afforestation were also 

 exphiined in a paper, " A Xew Forest of Waltham," in the same volmne, 

 antt' pp. 25 — 29. 



At the former meetings some elements of uncertainty existed concerning the 

 acquisition of the lands, but on the present occasion this had passed away, and 

 the visitors rambled througli the Forest filled with the inspiriting thought that 

 thcv were traversing the grandest addition to our open sj:)aces since the rescue of 

 the E]>ping woodlands. 



Ouite a large number of members and friends attended the meeting, reaching 

 the ground from thenew Grange Hill Station, and assembling at tlie entrance to 

 the Recreation Ground at Chigwell Row, this ground being a portion of the old 

 forest. In the pond here the botanists were astonished to find abundance of an 

 American aquatic plant, Azolla, floating in the water (see report of meeting on 

 November abtli). Whilst traversing this ground one could not but be struck with 

 the abundance of the dwarf furze \Ulex nanus), which is by no means a common 

 plant in the Epping Foiest district. 



At a point on the road leading to Romford, about 300 yards below Chigwell 

 Church, the party entered the gate to the woodland known as " Ethelstone's 

 Forest," and here Mr. Buxton took the conductorship. The ramble covered the 

 whole extent of Lambourne Forest, making for Cabin JTill, and then across the 

 newly recovered land of Foxborough's Farm, now being replanted under Mr. 

 Buxton's advice and superintendence. In the woods the most noticeable plants 

 were the handsome Wood- Spurge {Euphorbia amy gdalo ides) and the edible 

 *' Earth-nut, "6o«c/o^i WW denudatum {z=z Bunium Jlexiiosum, With.) which were 

 in great plenty in many places. 



At the replanted grounds Mr. Buxton gave some informal demonstrations, and 

 we were favoured with the company of Prof. W. R. Fisher, of Cooper's Hill, one 

 of the great authorities on Forestry, and of Mr. J. Groves, F.L.S., the well-known 

 British botanist. The following observations are compiled from Mr. Buxton's 

 and Prof. Fisher's notes : — 



The London County Council is in possession of the forestal part of the 

 Hainhault lands, including that portion lying within Chigwell parish, now for the 

 first time thrown open to the public. FoxburrowsFarm and Colonel Lockwood's 

 arable land, comprising about 550 acres, hitherto under the plough, will not be 

 ready for public use for at least a year. The London County Council have 

 entrusted to Mr. Buxton the task of laying down this arable land in grass, and 

 planting or sowing portions to produce thickets. About 400 acres have already 

 been sown with grass, which in most cases is doing exceedingly well. From 60 

 to 70 acres, comprised in about twenty-five patches of various sizes, have been 

 sown with forest seeds or planted with oak, hornbeam, birch, holly, maple, ash, 

 whitethorn, blackthorn, bramble, dog-rose, brake-fern, broom, gorse and crab. 

 These patches, which are naturally disposed on the slopes of the higher ground, 

 appear to be making good progress. It will be noticed that nothing is admitted 

 but trees or bushes indigenous to the forest. 



Mr. Buxton explained that his aim was not to reproduce a wood all over this 

 land, but rather an upland down with scattered thickets on it, as is the case with 

 so many commons in the home counties. It is hoped that these thickets, which 

 are at present necessarily protected, may ultimately be thrown open. 



In his observations. Professor Fisher was of opinion that there would not be 

 much difficulty with wooded portions of the area. They consist of dense masses 



