38 ANCIENT WOODS. 



Fourthly : A great increase of revenue may 

 be derived from a better mode of managing the 

 stock, both of timber and underwood: the latter 

 rosy? by timely and judicious pruning, by a proper 

 attention to draining, &c. be brought to maturity 

 at a much earlier period than it has hitherto been 

 done in many places, and thus, of course, be made 

 to return a greater rent. 



It is incredible how little is done to Ancient 

 Woods compared with what ought to be done, in 

 the way of draining, pruning, stubbing up rub- 

 bish, and filling up with young plants ; although 

 it is manifest that, whenever a wood is opened, 

 these important operations should claim the very 

 particular attention of the proprietor or his wood- 

 man. But they do not receive it ; and hence one 

 cannot wonder at the stunted, unhealthy appear- 

 ance, which many woods exhibit. They are 

 almost always without any effective drainage, it 

 being generally thought quite sufficient to open 

 out a few paltry drains, which the falling leaves 

 of the first Autumn will choke up. It will indeed 

 very seldom be found, that even the outside ditches 

 are well looked after : whereas it should always 



