HIGH WOODS, COPSES, ETC. 293 



and if the rods are peeled their value may be 

 increased to nearly ^35. Despite the heavy ex- 

 penditure, much in excess of that for ordinary 

 woodland crops, on planting, tending, harvesting, 

 peeling, rent, rates, and taxes, it will thus be seen 

 that, on suitable classes of land, and within easy 

 reach of a favourable market, osier-holts can prove 

 a very remunerative investment ; and more especi- 

 ally so if combined locally with basket-weaving. 

 But the supply of the raw material for the trade, 

 and in fact the trade itself, capable of great ex- 

 tension, is chiefly in the hands of Belgians, French, 

 and Germans. This is, in fact, merely another 

 example on a small scale of our strange national 

 negligence and our indifference to economical 

 considerations, which permit several millions of 

 pounds sterling to find their way annually into 

 the pockets of foreigners for the purchase of 

 pinewood and fir timber, that we might perfectly 

 well grow for ourselves, with untold advantages 

 to the rural population, and to our internal trade 

 and commerce generally. 



