258 
Agricultural Capabilities of the Neio Forest. 
XII. — Opinions of Eesidents and Practical Men on the 
Value of the Forest. 
As we have already stated, the most contradictory opinions 
are entertained respecting the value of the Forest lands. Replying 
to a few questions from the author, a resident thus writes : — 
" Except in small portions which adjoin properties already in cultivation, 
I do not believe that any of the land now open (*'. e. not timbered) would pay 
3 per cent, for reclamation. 
"I believe 30,000 acres arc unfit for any cultivation («'. e. breaking up), 
except for fir, and that it would be destructive to residence in the district to 
have, in addition to the present moorlands, of say 30,000 acres, another 30,000 
acres of fir." 
Mr. William Warner, of Botley, who has had much experience 
both with timber and with breaking up waste lands, says : — 
"I have had land myself which was producing only from 5s. to 7s. per 
acre as woodland, and by breakiivj; it up, at an expense of 201. j^er acre, I 
have made it worth from 40s. to 45s. per acre. Such lands as that would pay 
any owner for breaking up, but there are some descriptions on which it 
would be more profitable to grow underwood." 
Mr. W. Warner also said his father had some timber valued 
in one year, and revalead twenty years afterwards : — 
"It only paid 3 per cent, on the outlay when cut down ; but had it been 
done earlier, i should have been considerably in pocket by it. 
"Being pretty well acquainted with the New Forest, I should say that 
there was not an acre of land in it which would not profitably grow either 
corn or timber. In fact I have not seen any land in the Forest but would 
pay, if only the right plants were jiut in the soil. As to the people who have 
rights in the Forest, and would not like to see it enclosed without receiving 
compensation, that, I think, could be easily met." 
To show the great depreciation in the price of oak, we have 
only to compare the value put on it by the three surveyors, 
Messrs. Menzies, Murton, and Mathews, who were requested to 
report on the value of the Forest property of the Crown in 1854, 
when they estimated that there were 30,000 acres of good planta- 
tions, which in 70 years' time would contain 60 oak-trees per 
acre worth lOZ. each at 4s. per foot, amounting to 18,000,000?., 
which sum would be realised by putting out at compound interest 
1,800,000?. The same valuers at the present time would pro- 
bably reduce their estimate nearly one-half to meet the present 
reduced price. 
I have said that there are very contradictory opinions ex- 
pressed as to whether the land of the Forest would pay for 
tillage. Mr. Thomas Hill, who has farmed for some years on 
the borders of the Forest, writes in reply to some questions : — 
" I do not think the Forest would pay to cultivate, except where 
the timber and the furze grow, as most of the soil has been taken 
away for turf, but much of the heath land might grow Scotch fir." 
