The United Kingdom 63 
and the consequent destruction of the 
underwood. The system of manage- 
ment which is now being pursued on 
a systematic plan is gradually to re- 
enclose up to I i,ooo acres, with a view 
to the establishment of a complete 
crop of mixed beech and oak in high 
forest, with scattered larch, chestnut, 
sycamore, and other introduced trees. 
The Highmeadow Woods, adjoin- 
ing the Forest of Dean, are the absolute 
property of the crown, free from any 
rights of common, and contain about 
3,285 acres of enclosed woods. Two- 
thirds consist of old timber, and the 
remaining one-third of trees from 47 
to 72 years old. The best part of the 
woods appears as high forest of old 
and middle-aged oaks over a coppiced 
underwood ; whilst elsewhere the 
standards have been more freely cut, 
and the coppice is vigorous and well 
intermixed with seedlings chiefly of 
