61 



WOODS OF KENT. 

 By Mr. George Bunyard, F.R.H.S. 



In the papers already given the main point touched upon 

 appears to be the production of timber ; but in the greater part 

 of Kent (as also in Sussex), as a general rule, we do not plant 

 for timber, such trees as are allowed to grow up being those 

 natural to the soil (in the case of Oaks generally springing from 

 seed), which, when they look promising, are marked off with 

 red paint to be left standing as " tellers " when the underwood, 

 the real crop of the land, is sold by auction. In selling, the 

 wood is first set out in "cants," a "wash " being cut to show 

 the dividing lines, and they are then numbered and sold by 

 auction in lots of one acre or less, as the form of the wood allows. 

 The buyer pays for his lots cash down, or makes an agreement 

 to do so at a certain time, and pays a deposit. He then cuts all 

 the underwood to the stubs or stools, leaving, as arranged, the 

 marked " tellers " of Oak, Ash, Chestnut, &c. He makes from 

 this wood " cant " the following various sorts and sizes of 

 sticks, &c. : — 



Use pieces, to split for fencing, sheep-gates, and wheelwrights' 

 work. 



Hop-poles, 10 to 16 feet and 18 feet. 

 Clothes-props, for washing-grounds. 



Birch, for turners, &c. In the North for clogs for the mines ; 

 in the South for brushes and turnery. 



Birch-tops, for brooms, sold by the " kid," to make stable 

 and lawn brooms. 



Binders, for fencing and nurserymen's use. 



Bean-sticks, for scarlet runners. 



Thatching-wood. 



Hoop-wood, to be split for cask-hoops, mostly Hazel, Ash, 

 and Willow. 



Hedge-stakes, to repair gaps, &c. 

 Flower-sticks, for florists and garden use. 

 Pea-sticks. 



