18 ANCIENT WOODS. 



be a total revolution effected he must be put into 

 an entirely new course, if either the condition of 

 the woods, or the revenue arising from them, is to 

 be improved. 



Unfortunately it seldom happens that custom- 

 ers are not found for all that may be offered, 

 in almost any neighbourhood, and in any way. 

 I say unfortunately, inasmuch as it keeps the 

 managers of many woods exactly stationary -, 

 while everybody else is going on. If they had 

 a little difficulty to contend with, it might, 

 perhaps, induce a little reflection, and raise a 

 doubt in their minds as to the propriety of the 

 course they were pursuing ; which would be a 

 great point gained, as there has been very little 

 thought applied to the management of this species 

 of property, either by its owners, or by the per- 

 sons they have employed. 



There are, no doubt, many refreshing instances 

 of good management to be met with I could 

 myself mention a few, were it not invidious to do 

 so but in a large majority of cases, from mistaken 

 management, woods are in a high degree, and for 

 many reasons, a discredit to those who belong to 



