236 Agricultural Capabilities of the New Forest. 
IV. — The Animals of the Forest. 
One strong plea that might be urged for continuing the Forest 
as it is, would be afforded if there were any prized and par- 
ticular breed that it was desirable to rescue from extinction. In 
times gone by, we heard a good deal about the value of the 
Forest ponies ; but in the absence of every endeavour to improve 
the breed, and the more than indifference with which every 
attempt from others to attain this object has been received by 
the Foresters, or owners of ponies, no plea can be urged on this 
score. So long as inferior large-headed stallions are turned out 
promiscuously, it is in vain for any one to think of improvement 
by selecting improved male animals ; although when this has 
occasionally been done by private means, the good qualities of 
the Forest breed has shown itself in the produce. Mr. Bone, 
of Avon, has had for some years an old Arab stallion, and it is 
astonishing what capital stock he has raised from Forest mares. 
They have been sold for good prices on many occasions, and one 
at the Bath and West of England show at Southampton, in 1869, 
(not, however, as a Forester, but as a Galloway), gained a first 
prize. At this show every effort was made by the local 
committee, by the offer of numerous prizes, to bring out the 
Forest people with their mares and stallions. But there was no 
response whatever; and it was felt by many that a breed that 
appears to have no friends must submit to the fate that belongs 
to the destitute. 
due provision must be made for the preservation of the ornamental timber. Where 
this timber is found, there is also the best pasturage ; and such sp(>ts also present 
the most suitable sites for building, and consequently the most valuable and sale- 
able land. Some compromise will, therefore, be necessary, not only between the 
Crown and tlie commoners, but amongst the commoners themselves ; for, whilst 
the meeting in question may be considered to represent the owners of property 
and commoners residing within the Forest, yet there are large numbers of the 
latter on the outside whose claims are equally good, but who, either from the dis- 
tance at which they reside, or from the improved system of husbandry they 
adopt and the improved animals they breed, have in great measure ceased to 
exercise their Forest rights, and would, therefore, no doubt, prefer to receive coin- 
peusation in some other form, such as land or money. One great advantage in 
retaining the most picturesque portion of the Forest would be that it would settle 
the question of the recreation ground for the neighbouring towns and villages, by 
granting the boon required in the most effectual manner. In return for a conces- 
sion of ornamental timber the rights of turbary might well be given up ; although 
we were sorry to observe in a report of the meeting, though we scarcely can 
believe it, that such right — or rather, barbarism of the dark ages— would be 
supported both by the Crown and the commoners. It was elicited at the meeting 
that the cost to the Crown of a three -year-old buck used to be computed to 
amount to 112Z. ; so that, if this be correct, we cannot be surprised at the Deer 
Removal Act having been introduced. Supposing that the wishes of the resident 
commoners are gratified by the retention of the greater part of the open Forest, 
on which there is grass really growing, for the exercise of pasturage, there will 
still be a large area left on which now there is no grass, but which may advan- 
tageously be devoted to agricultural purposes. — W. C. S. 
