HISTORY OF BRITISH WOODLANDS 



be wood enough left to cover the bilberries/' 

 In 1731 the question was brought before the 

 Irish House of Commons in an Act (the 

 5 George II. c. 5) " To encourage the improve- 

 ment of barren and waste lands and bogs, 

 and planting of timber trees and orchards." 



But even from the time of the Norman 

 Conquest enquiries have from time to time 

 been made regarding our available timber 

 supplies, especially with reference to oak for 

 building and keeping in repair the " Wooden 

 Walls of England." From official and other 

 papers I have had good opportunities of 

 learning what vast quantities of special oak- 

 trees were felled in the Eoyal and other 

 forests in connection with the upkeep of the 

 Navy. Even in two of the London parks 

 upwards of 4,000 picked oak-trees were felled 

 for the Navy and mercantile purposes during 

 one season, 2,976 being from Regent's Park, 

 in the very heart of the Metropolis. 



But coming down to later times, we find 

 that Lord Kames, writing in 1776, said: 

 " Considering the great quantity of waste 



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