Appendix No. 1. xxxvii
but regular thinnings, while they will destroy much that is sound and
worthy of preservation, will perpetuate that uniformity which is already
but too painfully apparent in many places. Nowhere is that " abomina-
tion of desolation " due to over-thinning and a too-regular thinning more
apparent than upon the Ambresbury Banks. Judging from the trunks
now lying about, and from the meagreness of the standards, one becomes
impressed with the idea that many fine opportunities of grouping, for the
production of the most picturesque effects, have been thrown away.
Several of the grand Oaks within the enclosure, and upon its Epping
side, are worthy of being opened out. But amongst the Pollards, the
selection of a few of the partially decayed trunks for immediate felling, a
moderate opening out of a few of the best clumps and groups which could
have been selected for preservation, and even the pollarding of an occa-
sional Beech or Hornbeam in situations admitting of present partial
concealment and future development, would have prepared the way for
the production of grand effects in the future. In the interests of the
naturalist the greatest part of the Forest should for the present remain
uncleared and even unthinned wherever there is life. In other places
undergrowths in large masses should be encouraged.
III. Draining.—Though it may be undesirable to exterminate mosses
and aquatic or semi-aquatic plants, or to drive away water-fowl by over-
drainage, there are many parts of the Forest where alternate lengths of
open watercourse and covered drain—according as the sites are fairly
concealed or full in view—are highly desirable for the comfort of the
pedestrian, the safety of the horseman, and the good of the trees them-
selves. But an open, evenly-cut, and regularly-battened ditch, running
full in view by the side of a ride or drive in the Forest, is most objection-
able. The associations of the place forbid the formation of such, and
suggest the clearance and deepening of all natural channels and the con-
cealment of artificial ones. The evil may to some extent be avoided by
the tapping or turning of springs near their source, and in other places
by directing the watercourses behind adjacent growths of scrub or under-
wood. Wherever there is a slight declivity this may easily be done.
Such a gaping ditch as that on the right-hand side of the road leading
from the "Robin Hood" to the Warren Hill, in dangerous proximity to
the road itself,—with its unsightly water-carriers composed of large
draining-pipes, three abreast,—is ugly in the extreme.
Opportunities of passing by or even over some of the present boggy
spots with which the Forest abounds should be afforded in all places of
great resort. But in many others one would rather add to the water-
plants than rob existing ones of their nourishment. Earnest searchers
for rare plants will not be deterred by the fear of wet feet; others are
better kept away. As planting proceeds—as one fervently hopes that it
may, and that rapidly—drainage will become more and more necessary.
And with a little more care in the selection of spots for gravel-digging,
more finish to the margins of the abandoned holes, and a careful husband-
ing of available water supplies by turning them into these, picturesque
small lakes may be formed in many quarters.
IV. Fires and their Prevention. — The great danger of the Forest
appears to be its constantly recurring fires—whether accidental or in-
cendiary. One great means of the prevention of these, or at any rate, of
their limitation, would be the removal, as far as possible, of much of the
dead and decaying undergrowth. In many places the brambles which
nursed up what have now become good standard trees, are hanging about
in dead masses at their feet, ready for ignition by a careless or wanton act
of the passer-by. These should be got rid of as soon as possible. And
in order to limit the ravages of fire, and at the same time to add to the