English Coppices and Copsewoods. 305 



operation promises to be profitable. " Then, as you pass 

 along, prune and trim up all the young wavers [i.e. double 

 stores), covering such roots as lie bare and exposed with 

 fresh mould. There are some who direct the lopping of 

 young oaks at a competent distance from the stem, and that 

 while the wounds are healing this would advantage the un- 

 derwood ; but I cannot say it would be without prejudice to 

 timber." In these present times of difficulty in finding a profit- 

 able market for small poles and other smaller coppice material, 

 it is, however, curious to read of Evelyn's wish that the hop 

 industry should not continue to be such a drain on the 

 English woodlands. " ft were to be wished that some approved 

 experiments were sedulously tried, with the advice of skilful 

 and ingenious physicians, for the making of beer without 

 hops ; . . . . it might prove a means to save a world of 

 fuel, and in divers places young timber and copse wood, 

 which is yearly spent for poles, especially in countries where 

 wood is very precious." 



J. NlSBET. 



[To be continued. 



x 



