Iteport of Meetings for 1887. By J. Hardy. 45 



diamonds from among the boulders beneath, the cliffs, and fed by 

 these resources a bright thread of water, in a series of falls, 

 flashed out in the sunshine, appearing or disappearing all down 

 the rough descent. 



We had scarcely reached the shelter of another Scots fir 

 plantation, when the rain burst over our heads once more, but 

 with backs placed to the walls, and umbrellas and top-coats, we 

 were now impervious to wet. Here again young birches formed 

 the underwood. Again on our way, we gained a free view along- 

 side a line of new plantations on the right hand, and a cultivated 

 farm on the loft hand, partly a new intake. A few Junipers, like 

 gleanings of the vintage, still remained unextirpated. Here in 

 1886, the farmer was using a small primitive barrow to sow 

 turnips, with only one seed canister, that sowed a single drill at 

 a time ; a small roller being attached behind. This had come 

 from Long Framlington, where I was told, wooden ploughs with 

 wooden mould-boards were still in use in 1848. 



In the heathery space on the right hand, the young fir-trees 

 were planted among Bog-Myrtle (Myrica Gale), and several 

 patches had died out ; neither will they readily root among long 

 heather. The Bog-Myrtle is Very prevalent between this and Hues 

 Hill. Early in the season it has a brown withy-like aspect, but 

 later on it is distinguishable afar off by its verdant plots among 

 the heather. Sheep eat it, but it does them harm. The shepherds 

 endeavour to keep it down, by cutting it with scythes. More 

 towards the rising ground, Mr Dodds informs me that both Scots 

 fir and Larch had sprung up among the heather from cones 

 scattered from adjoining plantations. He did not succeed with 

 these heather-nurslings when transplanted. 



We next passed some well-grown woods of oak and birch. This 

 is the shooting estate of a Newcastle owner. We reach Wood- 

 hall, which has a modern look, but shows above the door of the 

 principal house, an inscription, E. H . F. H. 1650. The tradition 

 is that these parties were cousins. In 1 663, Edward Hall is rated 

 for Woodhall: annual value £2U. (Book of Rates, in Hodgson).* 

 We now crossed by a field path to the Holystone well. Brambles 



# In 1618, in the Rental of the Lordship of Harbottle, in Woodhaughe 

 alias Woodhall, Giles Hall paid at the feast of St Michaell Tharchangell 

 xijs; and George Hall, viijs; Samma, xxs. (Arch. ./Elian, n. p. 337) ; and 

 there is a subsequent entry of Lease Lands in Harbottle paid at Whitsontide 

 and Martilmas, Giles Hall and George Hall for the third parte of Woodhall, 

 xla. (p. 338). Were these the ancestors of L\ H. and F. H.? 



