5 GO APPENDIX. 



workmen. A gentleman walking with him one day, observed, 

 that his improvements must cost him a deal of money, " Yes,'" 

 was his reply ; " but these are my hounds and horses.' 11 His 

 example is in every respect worthy of being imitated by sur- 

 rounding proprietors, who, like him, may happen to possess 

 large tracks of improvable territory, in this line county of 

 Hants. 



We next went to Paultons, the scat of Hans Sloane, Esq. 

 The park is extensive, and the trees in it are large, and very 

 numerous. Although, according to the gardener's report, he 

 has cut down timber, in the course of the last twelve years, 

 chiefly oak, to the value of L. 130,000 Sterling, yet the place 

 still appears fully stocked with fine old wood. This place is 

 almost surrounded by New Forest. The gardener, a native 

 of Aberdeenshire, is an intelligent man ; his pine-apples and 

 all other things arc in good order; lie has raised a consider- 

 able quantity of seedling rhododendrons, the seed ripening 

 freely at this place ; and he has obtained in this way several 

 new varieties, particularly one, which he esteems on account 

 of its superior flower : its habit is considerably different from 

 the common sorts : he is propagating it by layers. I got from 

 him two specimens of white potato, which he recommended ; 

 one he calls the Bread-fruit, and the other the Isle of Wight. 

 I have placed these under the care of Mr Stuart at Pinkie. 



On our way through New Forest to Cuffnels, my atten- 

 tion was attracted by the remairis of an old oak, which had 

 been of very great dimensions, but was now much decayed, 

 quite hollow within, and open on one side. There is only a 

 small stripe of the bark, 8 or 10 inches broad, ascending 

 from the bottom to the top of the decayed trunk; but this is 

 swelling out, and supporting a vigorous branch, proceeding 

 from it. 



His present Majesty (George III.) on his way to Ports- 

 mouth, used to take particular notice of this ancient tree, and 

 some years ago ordered it to be inclosed with a rail. Large 

 I of this Forest are lying waste. The soil appears well 

 adapted for oaks, and being situated so near Portsmouth, it 

 musl be considered a national loss, that so much valuable 

 land should remain in its present state, without being plant- 

 id with young oaks, or sown with acorns. The necessity of 

 UK.'" , planted or sown, must be the chief ob- 



