ANCIENT WOODS. 17 



these matters, it is easy for those who really under- 

 stand them to judge. For my own part, I am 

 compelled to say, that I never yet saw a single 

 instance, where timber was selected in the way 

 to which I refer, without gross blunders being 

 committed. But more than this may be affirmed 

 and it is not an over-weening fondness for my 

 own plans, but a perfect conviction of the utter 

 want of adaptation in the present practice of 

 many, which induces me to say it there is not 

 one solitary argument that can be advanced in 

 favour of the practice which I have condemned. 

 If this be so, then let all gentlemen abandon it ; 

 if not, let the arguments be brought forward. 



I have said that the whole system is wrong, 

 and T add, that no good will be done by a patch- 

 work attempt to amend it. So long, for instance, 

 as a proprietor retains the " Gad- Wood " plan, he 

 will insure the continuance of the old system of 

 "mismanagement." He might as well think of 

 bending, by his own personal strength, one of the 

 sturdy stems of his well-grown oaks, as attempt 

 to turn his woodman gently aside out of his usual 

 track especially if he be an old man there must 



