HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE [167 



than to suppose that they may have fallen down by natural decay, 

 or iu consequence of high winds, or have heen cut down to clear 

 the ground, and not taken away, and that the natural accumulation 

 of earth over them, from decayed vegetable growth, or from inun- 

 dations, or other causes, has left them beneath the surface in the 

 state they are found. 



From the instances given of Fruit-trees growing formerly in this 

 county, it should appear that more attention has heretofore been 

 paid to their culture than has unfortunately been the case in later 

 times. An apple-tree grew in the moat of the parsonage-house at 

 Leigh that spread its boughs to 17 or 18 yards diameter, and 54 

 circumference, and having borne some years -50 strike of apples. 

 All sorts of fruit-trees were then cultivated (about 1680) much 

 more than they anciently were, and they have been too much 

 neglected since. Many good orchards have been suffered to de- 

 cay for want of a succession stock of young trees, and the crab-mills 

 of many villages where they occasionally made perry, have been 

 disused for want of fruit. The parish of Areley was planted in the 

 Worcestershire manner, having all sorts of pippins of the best 

 kinds. These were afterwards neglected, but were again partially 

 reinstated. Dr. Plot says, for fruits of the parterre or house- 

 gardens, they were as choice at Ingestre as in most gardens of 

 the south; and in the gardens at Okeover were then growing 60 

 different sorts of apples, 20 sorts of pears, 16 of cherries, 35 of 

 apricots and plums, and seven sorts cf nectarines and peaches. 



Some instances of remarkable Echos are given in the particulars 

 of parishes. Dr. Plot mentions one at Norbury, north-easterly 

 from the manor, near a little bank under the wood side, at about 

 440 yards distant, where in a still day the echo will repeat ten to 

 twelve syllables distinctly, or more if spoken quick, the object 

 whereof must needs be the manor. A similar remarkable echo is 

 from the front of Pendeford Hall, at about 200 yards distant : this 

 was weakened some years ago by cutting down the side groves, 

 which gave room for the air to expand. The theory of echos 

 seems to depend upon the vibration of the air being stopped or 

 confined by surrounding objects. 



Among remarkable Pools, Dr. Plot mentions one at Pendeford, 

 which, though a standing lake, is seldom dry, and tolerably clear 

 in settled fair weather, only against rain it becomes troubled, rising 

 full of bubbles, and thickening at the top into a yellow scum, 

 which presently as it rains vanishes away, and the water recovers 



