87 
cubic feet of timber. The underwoods sown at the time of the 
planting of the trees—the hazel, the sloe, and the thorn—have all 
disappeared. A little holly still remains, and the woods are for the 
most part beautifully carpeted with grass and ferns. 
STonEy Cross. 
From Bentley Woods the party returned and joined the carriages 
which were waiting on the Fritham road, and in driving along on 
the crest of the high ridge towards Stoney Cross, a most magnificent 
view was had from this elevation, looking far out over a vast 
extent of waving forests, grassy glades, and dark heath-clad 
commons. ‘The carriages were left at the pretty little hamlet of 
Stoney Cross, standing on the top of the ridge, and a favourite 
resort of visitors and parties on pleasure bent,—and the company 
walked down the slopes of Canterton Valley to Rufus’ Stone. 
Here lunch was served under the grateful shade of the Forest trees, 
about half-past two o’clock,—and after the long and trying walk 
over rough ground in the great heat of the day, every one was 
ready to enjoy the rest and refreshment. 
Colonel Barney presided, and proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Lascelles 
and his assistants—Messrs J. H. Dixon, J. H. Roberts, and H. E. Holloway 
—who had been indefatigable in their courtesy and their kindness to the 
company during the two days they had spent in the Forest. They were 
especially indebted to Mr Lascelles for writing and putting at their disposal 
so excellent a history of the arboriculture of the district. It had been of the 
greatest advantage to them in their inspection of that extensive Forest, of which 
they would carry away to their distant homes many pleasant and gratifying 
memories. 
Mr LascE.uss, in reply, said he had been only too pleased to welcome 
them to the New Forest. It had been to him a great pleasure to see 
them, and to accompany them in their walks. As to the report, he 
might mention that a great deal of the information it contained had never 
before been printed. It was quite accessible to the public, only it was con- 
tained in old Forest records which were not often consulted. There was an 
impression abroad that the cultivation of the Forest only commenced in the 
reign of William and Mary in the year 1700, but that was a great mistake, 
for they had records to show that planting had been engaged in as far back 
at least as 1530, and from that date to the middle of the present century 
there was more planting and more care given to the trees than there had 
been since. He hoped they would all take away with them pleasant 
meniories of the Forest. He should certainly look back on their visit with 
pleasure, and he hoped it might not be long before they again visited 
Hampshire. 
