50 Plant-life of the Oxford District 



On this account it cannot be \vondered at that the few remaining examples 

 of woodland and waste, as well as cultivated fields, are becoming more and 

 more closed against the public, and the favourite collecting-grounds of an older 

 generation of botanists are destroyed or are no longer available. 1 This applies 

 more particularly to Wytham Wood, Hen Wood, Radley Wood, Bullingdon Bog, 

 Magdalen Wood under Shotover. 



Bagley Wood, closed to the public, is utilized for instructional purposes 

 by the Schools of Forestry and Botany. It is interesting to watch the fate of 

 the 30-acre University Enclosure on Shotover (1908), devoted to the use of 

 the Public. 2 



In a short time the public will be restricted for floristic studies to the few 

 foot-paths over fields still left open as old rights- of- way, the dusty or tarred 

 roadside, the tow-path and the open river, with alluvial areas as Port Meadow, 

 and Iffley Fields when these are not up for hay, or to their limited experiences 

 as allotment-holders. 



But there is another side to the story. The general aspect of a well- 

 wooded countryside, even at its best, is but the effect of human activity and 

 cultivation ; however much the appearance of forest- and pasture-land may 

 appear natural because it has been the same within living memory, or even 

 historical record it is by no means * primitive '. Its very maintenance at the 

 present condition requires careful prevision and active judgement on the part 

 of the human population. Woodland, grown and cut under any sort of 

 rotation, however vague, is not original forest. Pastures are maintained at 

 their functional standard by definite and intentional care, grazing, mowing, 

 and hedging. The very accessibility of the district, to say nothing of the 

 admirable motor-bus service in recent times, is the effect of the maintenance 

 of very modern roads and foot-paths, without which little could be done. 

 One does not do much scientific work in a trackless jungle. Woodland 

 paths, if not kept cut, become practically impassable in a few years. Derelict 

 land runs to dense thickets, soon wholly impenetrable owing to thorns and 

 briars, however admirably adapted to the modern necessities of boy-scouts. 

 The countryside as we know it is the wholly artificial product of a certain 

 standard of human culture, and it is only maintained at a similar biological 

 horizon by continued work. Once the hand of the farmer, forester, or 

 gardener is relaxed, the effect is soon apparent. Primitive scrub, jungle, 



1 Stow Wood, though much reduced in area (30 acres) is apparently still open by the courtesy of 

 its owner, though the stereotyped minatory notice is attached to a conspicuous tree ; and the same 

 applies to Headington Wick (1922), as still a unique area. Horspath Common (Bluebell Valley) is 

 still available, but 'Open ' Magdalen is enclosed and wired, and 'Open' Brasenose, fenced 1922, is 

 apparently to be cleared. Pickett's Heath, with the * Signal-elm ' of Matthew Arnold's verse (1861), 

 has been completely devastated, though the tree remains. 



2 A notice, remarkable for its auto-suggestion, reads : ' This Piece of Ground is the Property of 

 the University of Oxford. It is open to Visitors, but they are requested to refrain from pursuing the 

 game, and catching Rabbits, from disturbing Birds' nests, Lighting fires, Plucking Flowers, Pulling 

 up roots, Injuring the trees, the brushwood and the Fences. Offenders will be Prosecuted. By Order.' 

 At the present time (1922), one looks in vain for game, there is no fence at all, the notice is 

 damaged, the gate is gone, only the stout gate-posts defy removal ; marks of fires are numerous, and 

 a considerable portion was burnt 1921. 



Cf. Radley Old Wood (1922), ' Persons picking flowers or roots, or otherwise trespassing, will 

 be Rigorously Prosecuted. No tickets issued? 



The conventional declaration that ' Trespassers will be prosecuted ' is found at Magdalen Wood, 

 Brasenose Wood, Coombe Wood, Sandford Brake Wood, Plowman's Copse, Tommy's Heath. 

 Railway Companies protect themselves by prescribing a 40*. fine for trespassing on the line, or 

 leaving level-crossing gates unlatched. The River under the guidance of the Thames Conservancy 

 remains open ; ' All persons using the River Thames, and the Locks, Works, and Towing Path 

 thereof, must take them as they find them ', and use them at their own risk.' Unusual solicitude for 

 the wayfarer is shown by a recent note (1922) 'Persons undressing or dressing on or about the 

 river, without shelter, render themselves liable to be prosecuted.' In comprehensive botanical 

 interdict, however, the By-laws of the Thames Conservancy (1898), are by no means behind, and one 

 is warned, among other things, 'not on the river or banks or towing-path thereof, to do or cause or 

 incite any other person to destroy or injure any flowering or other plant, or any shrub vegetation 

 tree-wood or underwood', under a maximum penalty of 



