Unfortunately it seldom happens that customers are not found for all that may be offered, in almost any neighbourhood, and in any way. I say unfortunately, inasmuch as it keeps the managers of many woods exactly _stationary_, while everybody else is going on. If they had a little difficulty to contend with, it might, perhaps, induce a _little_ reflection, and raise a doubt in their minds as to the propriety of the course they were pursuing; which would be a great point gained, as there has been _very little thought_ applied to the management of this species of property, either by its owners, or by the persons they have employed. There are, no doubt, many refreshing instances of good management to be met with—I could myself mention a few, were it not invidious to do so—but in a large majority of cases, from mistaken management, woods are in a high degree, and for many reasons, a discredit to those who belong to them. If the Woodman’s account were fairly examined—if a _Dr._ and _Cr._ balance sheet were exhibited, it would be found that the land was paying _a very small rent indeed from the underwood, even where there might be very little oak_, which most assuredly ought not to be the case; for I contend that there is no Ancient Woodland which is not considerably below the average quality of what I have seen, that is not quite capable of _growing a full crop_—either of underwood or of oak; and for this plain reason, viz.; because _the period of pecuniary sacrifice, the infancy of the wood_, is gone by: and that woodman’s management is essentially defective, who cannot show, upon _every_ acre under his care, a good crop either of the one or the other. I would here remark, that a _full crop of both_ cannot contemporaneously grow up together; and this consideration is of far more importance in the management of woods than is at first sight imagined, or, than by a slight acquaintance with the subject would be perceived. If there is found in a wood a superabundance of oaks, and if they are seen to be _thrifty_, nothing could possibly be so _ill judged_ as to _thin them too freely_, even though the _crop of underwood were entirely sacrificed_; for, the very objects most to be desired, can only be attained by bringing about that state of things which is here supposed, and which necessarily involves _the sacrifice of the underwood_, or, at the least, all idea of any considerable _profit_ from it. Under these circumstances, the exertions of the skilful Woodman will be directed to the securing of _great length of bole or stem_; for these, and these alone, are the trees which have any legitimate right to a place in a wood: and, of course, the longer their boles are, the better.