In writing the few “PLAIN REMARKS” which follow, I shall, in a great
measure, confine myself to the consideration of two main points,
viz.—the _present state_, and the _present mode of managing_ such
Old Woods, Plantations, and Hedge-Row Timber, as I deem to be under
a course of improper treatment, suggesting, as I go on, an improved
system of management of them all. Respecting both these points, I shall
have to make statements which, to me, appear very important—statements,
which I know cannot be controverted,—and which, though they may apply,
as they are intended to apply, more particularly to some districts than
to others, will, more or less, apply to all where Woods, Plantations,
and well-stocked Hedge-Rows abound.
Upon the second point in particular,—I mean the present modes of
managing property of this description,—I shall endeavour to show
in what respects, and, as well as I am able, to what extent, it is
erroneous or defective.
But first, I would remark generally, that although the treatment of
Plantations is bad enough, it is not so grossly bad as is that of
Ancient Woods and Hedge-Row Timber. I have, for some time, had it in
my mind to write respecting the two latter, having been long convinced
that a most extensive waste of property, and loss of time, was going
on, but, until now, I have neither had leisure to prepare for, nor
confidence to submit to, a “discerning public,” those views which have
been matured during an eighteen years observation and experience.
I have now, however, resolved to print, and whatever may be the precise
result to myself, if, by means of this publication, the attention of
Noblemen and Gentlemen is drawn only to one hundredth part of their
_neglected_ Woods and Plantations, and of their _abused Hedge-Rows_,
so as to induce them immediately to determine to arrest the progress
of the mischief that is going on, and not only to commence the work
of improvement, but to proceed to the necessary extent in carrying it
on, two most important results, _at least_, will be produced; viz.;
to Proprietors themselves a very considerable present or prospective
advantage—in some cases both—and a large measure of real benefit to the
Labouring Classes, in the increased demand which will be created for
the labour of their hands. This last object is so vastly important,
that an enlightened and benevolent mind will always be ready to listen
to any suggestions that may be thrown out to promote it; but at a
period like the present, when one great constitutional change in our
domestic policy has been made, and when there is too much cause to
fear that another is about to be tried,—each of which is as much _an
experiment in morals_ as any thing else,—it is invested with a much
higher claim on the attention of those to whom the appeal may be made,
than in ordinary circumstances it would be.
It will readily be seen that I refer to the new Poor Law and to the
Corn Laws; the former of which throws the poor man almost exclusively
on his own resources. To provide him therefore with _healthful
employment_, at such a time, and under such circumstances, will tend
more than any thing else can do, to lessen the difficulty and danger of
the transition from the old to the new law, and to mitigate the perhaps
necessary severity of the provisions of the latter.
Before I proceed any further I would state, that I shall not attempt
any thing like a systematic course, nor shall I confine myself to a
scientific arrangement of my subjects: nor again, shall I trouble
myself about the _technical_ names of the several Trees which I may
have to mention: nor, lastly, is it my intention to aim at elegance
of composition. I do not write to establish a literary reputation,
well knowing that to such an object I am unequal, and that if it
were otherwise, there is a _want of adaptation_ in my subject; but I
wish to be understood as addressing myself to those who, not being
themselves _practically_ acquainted with the subjects here treated
of, are not unwilling to listen to the opinions which I have formed,
and profit by the experience which I have derived from close and
extensive observation, while myself actually employed in the details
of management, connected alike with the Timber and Coppice of ancient
Woods, with the planting and subsequent treatment of Plantations and
with Hedge-Row Timber.
Of course I am aware that much has been said, and much has been
written, by others who have preceded me, on these subjects, but
notwithstanding that this be true, I am not at all of opinion that this
branch of rural economy has received its fair share of attention, or
that the subject has been viewed in that particular aspect in which it
is here presented, highly important and interesting as that view must
be acknowledged to be, when considered as it affects the growers of
Timber, the labouring poor, and the community at large.
There will be many, doubtless, who will dissent from some of my
opinions. They will have a good and sufficient cause to do so, if they
adjudge them to be erroneous: they have just as much right to hold
their opinions as I have to hold mine, but I wish it to be always
remembered by those who may read the following pages, that every
conclusion to which I have been brought, and every inference that I
have drawn, _has had its origin in actual experience_.
To practical men, and more particularly still, to such practical men
as are like myself—to use a homely phrase—more at home in a Wood or
Plantation than any where else—I need not make more than a general
reference to what they daily see, in proof of the “mismanagement”
which I intend to show, but as to the Proprietors it surely must be
otherwise. They cannot, one would suppose, be at all aware of the
fact, that one part, and that a most interesting and valuable part, of
their property, is so _mismanaged_ as to call loudly for an immediate
remedy! I affirm, however, without hesitation, that while _Agriculture_
has made rapid strides in the march of improvement, and while that
first of all improvements in Agriculture, _Draining_—(although as yet
but very imperfectly understood, and, in a very serious number of
cases, _very ill done_)—has been extensively attended to—while the
adaptation of Manures (although science has yet much to do, and much
to teach us, on this point) has been carried to such an extent, as
is unparalleled in any age, and almost in any country but our own;
and withal so successfully, as to turn barren and hitherto sterile
Wastes, Forests, and Moors, into productive occupations—while such an
extraordinary degree of ingenuity has been applied to the invention and
practical working of different implements, as to render the operations
of husbandry comparatively simple and easy—and while yet once more,
the attention which has been paid to the breeding and rearing of the
various kinds of Stock, has raised them to a pitch of excellence which
our forefathers never contemplated, and which scarcely leaves any room
for further effort—while all this proves, I say, that the large landed
Proprietors of this country, stimulated and assisted by the skill of
the man of science, and by the enterprize and persevering efforts of
the Tenant Farmer, have paid _almost_ adequate attention to one part
of their estates, it is equally undeniable that the present condition
of _a large proportion_ of the Woods, Hedge-Rows, and Plantations,
furnishes proof of the grossest neglect, and a perfectly unaccountable
want of attention. To point out wherein this neglect consists, and to
prove this want of attention, will be the object of the following
“Remarks.”
It is really surprising that in an age like this, when there is
an onward movement in almost everything else, such instances of
“mismanagement” of Woods, &c. should every where meet the eye. If any
one well acquainted with the subject, were to take horse and ride
through every county of the kingdom, he would find in ninety cases out
of a hundred, the Old Woods especially, to be in as bad a condition as
if they were solely intended for fox or game covers, and incapable of
being turned to any other use. They are permitted to continue precisely
in the same uncultivated state in which their present possessors found
them, Gentlemen too often totally overlooking the important fact, that
while they might, by proper attention to the draining and improvement
of their Woods, and the best mode of disposing of the produce, give
employment to a very considerable number of their poor dependents;
increase the present revenue, and lay the foundation of a greatly
improved permanent income from them, they would, to a very small
extent, if at all, injure the covers for sporting purposes.
As to Plantations, the treatment may be said to be somewhat better,
but, as I have before said, in most cases it is bad enough, as I shall
hereafter show.
Of the Hedge-Rows I affirm, that they are, very generally, either left
entirely to themselves, or to the tender mercies of the occupiers of
the soil, who, having no interest in their success, but rather the
contrary, cannot, of course, be expected to exercise any care in their
preservation.
Having thus briefly introduced the various subjects which it is my
intention to notice more fully under separate and distinct heads, I
shall commence my first chapter with “Ancient Woods.”