ANCIENT WOODS. 33 



are vast numbers of cases where, first, the con- 

 dition of the woods is so bad, that all considerations 

 about the usual time, are merged in the necessity 

 for immediately commencing the work of reno- 

 vation ; and, secondly, the instances are not few, 

 where the same course is desirable, in order that 

 a more profitable way of disposing of the produce 

 may be introduced, to supersede the old jog-trot 

 mode of getting rid of it. 



With regard to the first, it will at once be 

 perceived, by a practical eye, and a sound judg- 

 ment, whether a wood is in such a state, as to (he 

 prospect of a crop, that it is the proprietor's interest 

 to make a sacrifice in the underwood and cut it, 

 although it may sell for nothing but faggots, rather 

 than finish^ or run out, the term, at the end of 

 which it would be cut in the usual course. I have 

 seen hundreds of such cases: there are many 

 in almost every neighbourhood where woods exist 

 at all ; and I confidently ask, what would be the 

 use, or how would it be possible to show the pro- 

 priety, of completing the term of the cycle, if, 

 first, the wood contained nothing valuable as under- 

 wood; and if, secondly, it contained a considerable 



