STOCKING UP. 



177 



It was seen^ indeed^ that a projecting part 

 of the tree had deeply entered the earthy which 

 the proprietor said he was very glad to see ; 

 for^ had the ground been sufficiently hard to 

 resist this, the timber would undoubtedly have 

 been split up the middle^ and thus have made 

 him a loser of many pounds. 



But why not dig the tree up by the roots ?" 

 said Harry. 



^"^We call that stocking it up^' said Mr. 

 Woodgate^ the builder^ who^ seeing our cu- 

 riosity, very obligingly satisfied us upon many 

 points. I did not buy the stock ; and, if I 

 had, I am not sure that the extra labour, 

 which is great, of proceeding in that way, 

 would have paid me. Here, the stumps and 

 roots are perquisites of the verderer, or over- 

 looker of the Forest. He perhaps may send 

 men to take them up, or perhaps he will not ; 



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