Farmiiif/ of Devonshire. 
485 
alin>)st neoiUess to state ono argument against a practice which is 
so manifestly incorrect, did not observation lead to an opposite 
conclusion. The growth of hedge timber Is an unprofitable spe- 
culation, because the cultivated crops are injured to an extent which 
the value of the limber will never repay ; and although the land- 
lord may not be sensible of this loss, yet as it is a burthen on 
the occupier of his property he must indirectly experience it. 
I am convinced, if landed proprietors would fairly consider the 
merits of this practice, its inconsistency would be admitted and the 
evil quickly remedied. 
The management of underwood and timber is very defective, 
even on land solely appropriated to their growth. Cattle commit 
depredations which a well-kept fence would prevent, and the 
general condition of the boundaries would lead a person to con- 
clude that the damage thus sustained is considered unworthy of 
notice : this is one of the many instances of ill-timed parsimoni/ 
here observed. The increased vigour of the stools will repay the 
cost requisite to preserve them from rabbits, hares, &c. during 
the various stages of their growth, especially the first year's shoots, 
to which they are particularly injurious, producing a bushy wood, 
which never attains the full height. Stagnant water is a serious 
impediment to a vigorous growth of wood, and should always be 
removed by open drains. By proper attention to these and other 
points of good management a growth of underwood may be ob- 
tained on land of ordinary character worth from 16/. to 201. per 
acre when ten years old. 
Many of these observations are equally applicable to planta- 
tions ; for attention to regularity in the distance of the trees, and 
their periodical thinning and pruning, «Scc., would meet an abun- 
dant reward in the increased value of the timber grown. Let 
the majority of the hedges be removed — let the timber for future 
years be raised as any other crop, on laud solely devoted to it — 
and, whilst the value of estates would be increased, a superior 
timber would be produced at less cost. 
Waste Land. 
The extent of waste land in this county has been stated to be 
454,400 acres, much of which may be rendered productive, and 
would afford a large amount of employment to the labourers, 
many of whom are, during the winter months, supported by the 
public rates. I shall, therefore, enter more into detail, in the 
hope that more attention may be given to the subject. 
Dartmoor is the largest area of uncultivated land in Devonshire, 
occupying no less than 250,000 acres, or more than half of the 
waste land in the county. The soil is principally peaty, which, 
during the summer months, is dry and firm ; in other parts, as in 
