( 37 ) 



timber ; and cnnfequently (acrificed the preferva- 

 tion of the latter, for the purpofe of fecuriiig food 

 for the former. 



Perhaps the beft plan that could be adopted, 

 would be to diifcreft all thele woodlands, under le- 

 Vere reftiidioiis hoAvevcr, in regard to certain pro- 

 portions ot them being continued as forefts lor the 

 production of oak timber. Thofe having right to 

 the timber and underwoud. being alio bound to give 

 a conipenfation in land to the commoners, having a 

 right of commonage in theie forells and chafes, 

 and according to the nature and extent of their dif- 

 ferent rights. Were fome fuch plan adopted, cer- 

 tain confiderable portions of thefe forells and chafes, 

 might be devoted folely to the purpofe of growing 

 oak-timber, and one perfon only having intereft in 

 them, there is no doubt proper attention would be 

 paid, in order to bring on a regular fucceflion of 

 timber, which could be effecfted, vvhilft at the lame 

 time, a confiderable improvement might be made in 

 the growth and value of the underwood.* 



FARM 



» I am indebted to Mr Edmonds of Boughton-houfe, for the follovvinu very intereft- 

 ing Obfervations, and for many others fcattered in various parts of the Report. 



Purlieu -woods are thofe woods which are fituate immediately in the vicinity of the 

 foreft, and which, at one time, formed a part of it; but the refpeclive owners having 

 at fome former periods, obtained grants and permiflion from the Crown to disforeft 

 them, and to confider them as their own private property, they are not now fubjecl to 

 any of the laws and regidations to which foreft-woods are fubjecl. 



MANAGEMEXT OF PURLIEU WOODS. 



THE management of what are called purlieu woods in this diftrift, differs material- 

 ly from thofe of the chafe and foreft woods. Thefe woods being entire property, of 

 courfe there is no obftacle to prevent the proprietors of them from purfuing the bell 

 mode of cultivation and management in their power ; but this advantage has been in 

 very few inftances taken ; and little improvement towards rendering them more 

 produdlive and profitable to the refpedlive owners has been made. The underwood in 

 thefe woods principally confifts of hazle, alh, fallow, white and black, thorn, and fome 

 maple ; it is generally cut from 1 1 to j 4 years growth, when the feafon for cutting 



K arrives, 



