148 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 



works and on the facts as to their probable date ascertained during the Club's 

 explorations in 1881) and so on to Monks Wood. There, by the 

 kind permission of Mr. McKenzie, the Superintendent, a tent had been 

 erected under the shade of the beeches, in which tea was served. 



Full opportunity was taken during the ramble to demonstrate to those 

 interested the effect of the thinning opei-ations, and, by way of contrast, the 

 condition of a few acres of woodland which had been left very much in their 

 early forlorn condition, as an object lesson for those who ask for an " un- 

 improved " forest. Many of those present were much struck with the abun- 

 dance of young seedling oaks, beeches, hornbeams and hawthorns which were 

 to be seen in many places. But it was pointed out that almost all these were 

 doomed to destruction by the cattle (aud perhaps the deer, which are 

 certainly now too numerous) and that the prospect of the forest renewing itself, 

 unless some very drastic measures were taken to preserve and encourage the 

 growth of these seedlings, was extremely doubtful. The old pollards are 

 dying off — and a constant uprearing of vigorous young wood is the thing 

 above all others to be desired. 



After tta, a short Ordinary Meeting (the 203rd) was held in the tent, 

 the President in the chair. 



The following were elected members of the Club : — Mr. Harold L. 

 Barnard, Mr. John Boardman, Mrs. Boardman, Mr. P. Anderson Graham, 

 and Mr. J. Thompson. 



Prof. Meldola expressed the regret of all present at the lamentable 

 accident which had befallen Sir Powell Buxton, which had deprived them of 

 the pleasure and benefit of his presence and that of Mr. E. N. Buxton. 



At the request of the President, both Prof. Farmer and Prof. Marshall 

 Ward gave short addresses on the state of the Forest as it had come under 

 their observation that afternoon -and both emphatically insisted on the 

 necessity of some steps being taken to insure the growth of young trees, so 

 that the forest might be renewed in the years to come. 



The President also made some remarks on this subject, and proposed 

 that a cordial vote of thanks should be passed to Prof. Farmer and Prof. 

 Marshall Ward for their attendance and the addresses they had made. 



Sir Frederick Young, as an old friend of the Forest, aud as one who had 

 known it in the days long before it had come into the hands of the Corpora- 

 tion, expressed his pleasure at the improvement manifested. He warmly con- 

 gratulated all present, and indeed all residents of the London district, upon the 

 magnificent heritage upon which they had entered. He seconded the votes 

 of thanks, which were carried by acclamation. 



The walk back was over the Furze Ground, by Broadstrood Lodge, and 

 through what was formerly "Oak Hill Enclosure," and over Theydon Green 

 to the station. 



Thursday, June 6th, 1901. 



The Conference Meeting and visit to Dunmow and Bigod's, held this 

 day, is reported under a separate heading in the present part (p. 157). 



