OF FOREST-TREES. 05 



and even in our renowned forest of Dean itself, some goodly Oaks have CHAP. III. 

 been noted to grow upon ground, which has been as it were a rock '■"^"v"'^-^ 

 of ancient cinders, buried there many ages since. It is indeed, observed, 

 that Oaks which grow in rough stony grounds, and obstinate clays, are 



" I should have before observed, that in both the aforesaid, as well as in all 

 " the young plantations, the Spanish Chestnut keeps an equal pace, or rather out-grows 

 " the Oak ; but it is doubtful whether ever they will arrive at the same size ; for the 

 " largest of our Spanish Chestnuts, which have much the appearance of old trees, do not 

 " girth more than twelve or fourteen feet, which is nothing in comparison to some of our 

 " large Oaks, which girth from twenty-five to thirty feet ; indeed some of them a great 

 " deal more : For instance, that remarkable tree called the Greendale Oak, (from its 

 " growing in a valley of that name near Welbeck) which in the year 1724 had a hole 

 " cut through its body large enough to admit a coach to go through. This great 

 " curiosity is yet living, and frequently bears acorns, which we carefully save, to be 

 " distributed as presents amongst his Grace's acquaintance. 



" I may omit describing to you the present state of this piece of antiquity, as I Tiave 

 " herewith inclosed a drawing of it taken on the spot a few days ago*, from which you *seeCii.iii.B,iii. 

 " will see, notwithstanding the uncommon size of the lower part of the tree, that it has 

 " never contained any great quantity of timber ; I mean in comparison with seve- 

 " ral of our largest Oaks, some of which contain, in their tower-like trunks, between 

 " seven and eight hundred solid feet of timber, exclusive of their stately tops ; and some 

 " of their large branches are even like trees themselves. 



" You see. Sir, what a surprising mass of wood may arise from a single acorn ! Indeed it 

 " is really wonderful to see, on some soils, to what an amazing size this King of Trees will 

 " sometimes ai'rive." 



Welbeck, June 16, 1775. 



Having thus described the most approved methods of raising woods and plantations 

 from the Acorn and the Nursery, I shall now proceed to consider the necessity of reducing 

 them to immediate practice. 



And first I shall observe, that the cutting down of all kinds of wood is become so 

 general, that unless some effectual remedy be soon applied, it is more than probable 

 that very little full-grown timber will be left in this island for the use of the ship-builder. 

 The simple apprehension that this nation will, at some distant period, feel this great 

 calamity, cannot but occasion some uneasiness in the minds of those who wish well to their 

 country. But when the most serious and positive proofs can be pi'oduced, that, at this 

 very moment, the royal navy is in want of that supply, how justly are our fears increased ! — ■ 

 and with what zeal ought we to join in warding oft' the impending danger. 



In the year 1763, Mr. Roger Fisher, an eminent ship-builder at Liverpool, actuated 

 by a very laudable spirit for the interest of his country, laid before the public a number 

 of original letters written by persons conversant in the purchase of ship-timber in almost 

 every county of this kingdom. In 1771, the Hon. Augustus Hervey desired these letters 

 to be republished, which was accordingly done ; and much about the same time, Mr. 



