FORESTRY IN KENT AND SUSSEX. 423 



upon a free subsoil. Asb, for the production of which such bind 

 seems well adapted, and the market value of which is about equal 

 to that of oak, is not much in evidence unless in the form of 

 coppice. 



After what has already been said, it will seem almost super- 

 fluous to repeat that the woods referred to are in a bad way. 

 They are possessions of which the proprietcrs have little reason 

 to be proud. On the contrary, taking into consideration the 

 capabilities of the soil and the favourable nature of the climate, 

 their condition is something rather to be ashamed of. Their past 

 management has indeed been a continual outrage upon the laws 

 of nature; for while it has effected the deterioration of tie soil 

 and robbed the trees of their nutriment, it has not enriched 

 the owners of the land. Whether er not the owners realise that 

 the poverty of their woods is due to mismanagement is doubtful. 

 If they do not, it is time, both in their own interests and in those 

 of the nation at large, that they should learn the truth. 



It is to be hoped that the near future will witness the adoption, 

 in Kent and Sussex, of a more rational system of woodcraft than 

 that at present generally practised ; but this cannot be brought 

 about unless the management be placed in the hands of trained 

 foresters. 



