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IEDGEROW AND FIELD TIMBER. 
XXII. Hedyerow and Field Timber. By Ancus D. WEBSTER, 
Forester, Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, Wales. 
Although the well-founded assertion that the quantity of hedgerow 
and field timber throughout Britain is in excess of that produced in 
our woods and forests may at first appear somewhat startling and 
exaggerated, yet it is nevertheless a fact, and one that forcibly 
brings home to us that the importance of this class of timber is far 
greater than is generally supposed. That hedgerow and field timber, 
the former in particular, is, however, gradually disappearing before 
farm and land improvement, is a fact that is well known to the 
careful observer, and we may safely add that during the next 
quarter or half century not one-tenth of the present quantity will 
be retained. Regarding the utility or otherwise of this class of 
timber great difference of opinion exists, some, more particularly 
the farming community, maintaining that it is not only injurious 
to crops and fences, but a harbour for game and vermin ; while on 
the other hand there are those, and fortunately they are in the 
majority, who are in favour of such trees, justly considering that 
these are the greatest improvers of natural scenery, and to whicl 
our country owes so much of its green, garden-like appearance. 
Partly we favour both sides of the case, and shall, previous to 
pointing out the most suitable trees for hedgerow and field planting, 
which is the principal object of this paper, briefly give our views on 
the matter. 
That many farmers have just cause for the grievance complained 
of we must admit, for there can certainly be no two opinions 
regarding the ill effect on crops generally where an undue quantity 
of either hedgerow or field timber exists. Wales in this respect is 
far from behindhand, for the number of worthless trees that stud 
the landscape, and, combined with useless fences, interfere with 
agricultural pursuits, is truly surprising, and would hardly be 
credited unless by those who have travelled about through the 
country and paid some attention to the matter. No doubt at one 
time, when woods were less abundant than now, field and hedgerow 
trees would, in many exposed districts, be invaluable for affording 
shelter to both man and beast ; but with the advance of the times 
and now fairly well wooded nature of the country generally, fully 
one-half of those that still exist might well be cleared away, with 
not only advantage to landlord and tenant, but to the general 
