14 ANCIENT WOODS. 



the return of the year, when, according to imme- 

 morial custom, they ought to " cut, and hack, and 

 hew," and they go into the wood for the purpose 

 of setting out the piece which they intend to fell : 

 this they divide, in many districts, into a certain 

 number of lots, or ranges, of what they call " Gad 

 Wood," which vary considerably in size, but 

 which, as far as they go, include all the Under- 

 wood. At the same time, the sapient woodman 

 contrives to satisfy himself and it is seldom that 

 his superiors make any inquiry into the matter 

 as to the number of Oak Trees, &c. that it is proper 

 to take down ; and then, after due notice given, the 

 whole is sold, Underwood and all, by Auction. 



It is a common practice to describe a ring 

 round a portion of the Standard Trees which are 

 to remain such as the Oak, Ash, &e. and these, 

 of course, are intended for future timber, the 

 selection being often as bad as it well can be, but 

 the whole system, from the beginning to the end, 

 is most objectionable, and it is matter of astonish- 

 ment that it should have continued so long. It is 

 objectionable for many reasons, among which I 

 mention the following: viz.: because the Propri- 



