Reclaiming of Waste Lands. 
277 
pletion ; these young fences have grown vigorously, and where 
they have been carefully tended, promise to become in a few 
years, thoroughly efficient barriers. 
Farms. — -The whole of the reclaimed land, together with some 
old cultivated fields which formed part of the Queen's allotment, 
and some land that was purchased, was divided into seven 
farms, as shown on the annexed map, which also points out the 
position of the estate south of the West INIidland Railway, near 
to the ancient market-town of Burford, and about 5 miles north- 
west of Witney, a town long celebrated for the manufacture of 
blankets. The climate of this part of Oxfordshire is mild and 
healthy ; the greater portion of this district in its geological 
character belongs to the oolite, and has proved suitable for sheep 
farming. 
Farms let by Tender. — In 1858 the seven farms were advertised 
to be let by tender on leases of thirty-one years, from October 
10, 1857. In the printed circular of information given ta 
pei'sons wishing to become the tenants, it was stated that 
buildings Avould be erected on the following conditions : 6 per 
cent, per annum to be paid by the tenants on all moneys Ex- 
pended in the erection of dwelling houses and farm buildings, 
and 5 per cent, on cash spent in the erection of labourers' cottages : 
the conditions respecting the course of cropping and other 
matters contained in a lease need not here be stated ; suffice it to 
say, that the owner's rights were fully protected, and at the same 
time fair opportunity was afforded for enterprising tenants, to 
gather the fruits of any extra outlay they may feel inclined to 
make. The game was left entirely to the care and control of 
the tenants. 
Tenders and Tenants. — As great publicity was given by the 
newspapers and other means, to the fact that the seven farms 
"would be let on long leases, nearly two hundred persons, from 
different parts of England and Scotland, anxious to rent land, 
■went to examine the Wichwood Estate ; and as various as the 
A'isitors, were the opinions formed respecting the capabilit}" of 
the soil, and the probable results of its cultivation. 
Nearly seventy tenders were sent in, and the following list 
shows the names of the new tenants, the acreage of each farm,, 
and the quantity of forest land attached to each holding : — 
