46 The New Forest : its History and its Scenery. 



have taken much effect ; though, in 1808, a new system of plant- 

 ing upon a definite plan was introduced. 



In 1848 another Commission was appointed, and showed that 

 the old abuses still lingered, that depredations were still com- 

 mitted, and encroachments still made.* Law was at last 

 restored. A great number of the claims were disallowed, and 

 the rights of the commoners defined. So many head of cattle 

 may now be turned out, by those who have Forest rights, 

 through the year, except during the fence-month, which lasts 

 from the 20th of June to the 20th of July, and the winter- 

 hayning, from the 22nd of November to the 4th of May. Pigs, 

 too, upon a nominal payment, may also be turned out for the 

 mast and acorns during the pannage-month, lasting from 

 September the 25th to the 22nd of November, by those who 

 have a right to common of pannage ; whilst any person can, by 

 applying to the woodmen, buy wood for fuel. 



Lastly, in 1851, the deer, the cause of so much ill-feeling 

 and crime, were abolished, and the Crown thereby acquired the 

 right of planting 10,000 additional acres. t These changes have 



* See the evidence in the Parliamentunj Papers, 1849, Nos 513, 538. 

 Of the Forest Rights and Privileges, the secretary to the New Forest Com- 

 mission writes : " The present state of the New Forest in this respect is 

 little less than absolute anarchy." {Reports of Commissioners (11), vol. xxx. 

 p. 357, 1850 ) It should be distinctly understood, as was shown in the last 

 cliapter, that these Rights had their origin as a compensation to those whose 

 lands had been afforested by the King, and who were, in consequence, 

 subject to tlie Forest Laws, and the injury done by the deer. Now that the 

 injury is no longer sustained, and the exercise of the Prerogative has ceased, 

 so ought also the privileges. The Crown, however, has not pressed this, 

 and the Rights are thus still enjoyed. A Register of Decisions on Claims 

 to Forest Rights, with each person's name, and the amount of his privileges, 

 was published in 1858, 



t The present statistics of the Forest are — Freehold cstatt s, being private 



46 



