53S JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



Many of the forests had their boundaries marked. Dartmoor Forest 

 especially was well marked, with granite boundary and guide posts, of 

 which at least thirty are standing today. Such stones almost always 

 assumed the cross in shape. 



Uses. The woods were used much as ours are today. Certain in- 

 dustries were allowed, under grant or permit. Iron smelters, surface 

 coal mining, quarrying of stone, millstones and tombstones, and for 

 lime and marl. Such industries were usually located as near the ex- 

 terior boundaries of the forests as possible. Fees were charged for 

 the use of the forest land. The charge for folds was 4 cents per fold ; 

 peat was charged for at 10 cents per peat digger. 



Iron forges were fairly abundant in the forests. There was also 

 considerable coal mining. In Dartmoor and Exmoor Forests there were 

 particular regulations covering the securing of peat, while in other 

 forests the quarrying of stone, burning of lime and digging of marl 

 were allowed. Tanneries were not allowed, as the tanning of hides 

 made an odor that was obnoxious to the deer ! Dartmoor Forest re- 

 ceived special use fees from water-mills, fairs, toll-tins, peat digging, 

 rent of farm lands, etc. 



Prescriptive rights. There arose certain prescriptive rights within 

 the forests due to the use of certain forest lands or products which had 

 been granted to certain individuals or communities through many years, 

 which in time came to be regarded as fixed and permanent rights, and 

 hereditary. In many cases the original grant plainly stated that the 

 right was to an individual only for his life time. These rights covered 

 hunting of certain kinds of game, use of specified amounts or kinds of 

 timber or wood, or the use of the forage. A curious example occurred 

 during the reign of Henry III, in 1231, when he granted to Mabel de 

 Cantilupe for life the right to erect and operate an iron forge in Dean 

 Forest. The following year this lady received a grant or right to use an 

 oak on each of fifteen days she chose, every year, as long as she lived. 



GRAZING 



Each forest had its quota of live stock, allowed under a definite 

 system of paid permits, and grazing seasons, with a graduated scale of 

 fees. Stock was subject to the strict oversight and direction of the 

 agisters. This stock belonged to the tenants within the forests or those 

 living just outside. All forests were liable to have grazing suspended 

 altogether or in part, if circumstances warranted it, which circum- 



