

HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [59 



jurious. Elm (the Worcestershire or narrow-leaved), is proper for 

 groves and avenues, and does the least damage in hedge-rows of 

 any timber tree, but requires a deep soil and warm situation. Eighty 

 trees of this sort are now growing upon Tettenhall-green, planted 

 less than a century ago, some of which contain upwards of 100 feet 

 of timber each. The Witch-elm has in some instances been of very 

 rapid growth. One of these has been known to grow to 60 feet of 

 timber in 30 years from planting ; but the poplar, in rapidity of 

 growth, is superior to every other timber tree. The before-named 

 gentleman has been known to plant and cut down poplars of 60 or 

 80 feet growth. Our own native poplars are thought to be superior 

 to the Lombardy or Po poplar. Some of the willow species are 

 remarkable for quick growth, and their loppings are useful for many 

 purposes. Beech is a valuable wood, and its fruit is good hog-food : 

 it will also destroy furze, and not suffer it to grow near it. The 

 sycamore will answer well on high and bleak hills, and bear ex- 

 posure to the cold winds. All our native forest-trees should be re- 

 newed at times from the seed ; even the elm, and the poplar, are 

 doubtless liable to degenerate, if raised from shoots or cuttings for 

 successive generations. 



Respecting the fir-tribe, planters have certainly been rather too 

 partial here. The larch is believed to be one of the best sorts. 

 Every gentleman making a fir plantation, should intermix at least 

 an equal number of English forest-trees, and not forget oak ; and 

 in hedge-rows the sorts bearing useful fruit deserve more attention, 

 as the chesnut and the walnut; and particularly on all deep mellow 

 loams, the apple and the pear, as the raising of orchards, and increase 

 of fruit, in this county, is a desideratum, and may be ranked amongst 

 the greatest agricultural improvements of which it is capable. 



Waste lands. These have been rapidly lessened within the last 

 twenty years. In 1795, the practicable waste land of the county 

 was estimated at 100,000 acres ; since that time to 1815, Need- 

 wood Forest, Sutton Coldfield, and many other commons, have 

 been inclosed, to the extent perhaps of one-third of the whole. The 

 remaining land now lying waste may be calculated at from 60 to 

 70,000 acres. 



Cannock-heath is the most extensive waste in the county. Some 

 of the skirtings adjoining it are now under inclosure, particularly 

 Teddesley-hay, within the manor of E. J. Littleton, Esq. M. p. the 

 successor of the late Sir Edward Littleton ; but the extent lying 

 waste may be estimated at 25,000 acres. Large tracts of the north 



