THE FOREST OF OXFORDSHIRE 265 



and 6 does were sent to the king's larder. The red deer had 

 become extinct about ten years previously. The Duke of 

 Marlborough was the ranger. The trees were chiefly oak and 

 ash, with a small admixture of elm, beech, sycamore, lime, 

 and horse-chestnut. The browse wood cut for the deer in 

 the winter was in the main of thorn, maple, ash, holly, 

 and ivy. 



At the time of this commission, through jobbery and 

 recklessness, almost the whole of the fine timber of old 

 Wychwood forest had disappeared. The Commissioners were 

 only able to mention 173 oaks as fit for navy purposes. In 

 1800, when Young rode through the district, he found " many 

 very beautiful scenes, particularly where the nut fair is held, 

 a glen by Mr. Dacre's lodge, and others approaching Bland- 

 ford Park, with vales of the finest turf, but not one very fine 

 tree of navy oak in a ride of sixteen or seventeen miles." 

 Wychwood was not finally enclosed until 1862. 



