THE WOODMAN 79 



Not all who work in the woods are entitled to the 

 name of woodman : a word standing for an ancient 

 and an honourable calling. The woodman 



Woodman 



proper is an estate official, a sort of general 



foreman over the underwood and the 

 timber. He ranks a grade below the gamekeeper. 

 A man of parts, he knows his woods through and 

 through. He can tell you the exact age of the various 

 growths of underwood, for it is his duty to advise 

 what shall be cut each year, to map it out in lots for 

 sale, to undertake the marking and felling of timber, 

 and to see to the upkeep of covert fences, and the 

 trimming of rides. He receives a retaining weekly 

 wage, except when he is turning underwood to account 

 or laying a hedge, when he is paid by the piece. In 

 time of need, the gamekeeper calls on the woodman's 

 assistance, and he seldom goes long in want of a 

 rabbit. The keeper is always generous with his 

 friends and allies. 



Below the woodman in rank, and not rightly to 

 be called a woodman, is the copse-worker, or copser ; 

 a piece-worker, free to work for any one 



who ^ give him a ^ oba He is a skiUed 

 craftsman, one of a dying race, for his boys 



are kept too long at school ever to take kindly to 

 his calling. This is his constant complaint : and he 

 will air his views freely on " eddication " and 



