34 ANCIENT WOODS. 



portion of timber that required immediate attention, 

 on some account or other ? I should, for instance, 

 instantly determine to cut, where 1 found a wood 

 crowded with a class of unhealthy oaks, or other 

 timber : hut it is not necessary to particularize, as 

 I would not pretend to give such directions here 

 as would enable a gentleman to decide, for that 

 could only be done after inspection. So many 

 points have to be considered, that a careful survey 

 of a wood must be made. This done, fortunately 

 there is no difficulty in coming to a correct con- 

 clusion upon such a question as this. A practical 

 man, who understands what he is about, will be 

 in no danger of committing an error in the decision 

 to which he will be led, for these are not subjects 

 on which a difference of opinion might naturally 

 arise upon an examination taken. The various 

 considerations for cutting , or forbearing to cut, 

 would so certainly present themselves to the mind 

 of a person really competent to judge, that I should 

 say there would be no doubt whatever, of his 

 deciding correctly, if he were not interfered with 

 by the personal^wish, or taste, of his employer. 

 It is with this_ as with most other subjects : 



