mpression is that this timber is about 160 years of age. It has clearly
been planted since 1667, as it is recorded that only 200 trees remained
on the Forest in that time. There is some old timber fit for the navy in
the enclosed plantations, of the probable value of 34,500 pounds. There
are also about 500 acres of land planted in the Forest with single trees,
which are in process of becoming fit for naval purposes; and there is a
further portion occupied with trees of spontaneous growth. These, with
the plantations thrown open, we estimate at 3,000 acres; the value of
these we estimate at 106,000 pounds. The Crown has now occupied with
young and old timber about 14,000 acres of the Forest."

The same reporters speak of "the existing plantations being in a very
good state, having been judiciously and well planted, fully stocked, well
managed, and sufficiently protected. They are properly drained and amply
thinned; so that there is upon the ground, in a state to proceed to
maturity, as good a crop as can be found to exist in any part of England,
taking extent and quality of soil into consideration. The plantations
reflect great credit upon all parties concerned in their management, the
system of which we should strongly advise to be continued. To remove the
young trees with the view of converting the land into arable cultivation
would involve a loss of 280,500 pounds, besides that of the increasing
net annual profit, which official returns prove to be as follows:--

pounds. _s._ _d._
From 1828 to 1531 17 4
1832, or
average of 5
years
,, 1833 to 2475 16 2
1838 ,,
,, 1839 to 3566 17 1
1843 ,,
,, 1843 to 5482 11 3
1848 ,,

Early in this year a select Committee of the House of Commons was
appointed to inquire into the expenditure and management of the Woods,
Forests, and Land Revenues of the Crown, Viscount Duncan being in the
chair. Mr. Machen was examined by the committee with regard to the
Forest of Dean, and amongst other particulars stated that "the fact of
the expenditure on account of this Forest having increased within the
last six years was explained by the circumstance that 3,000 pounds a year
had been laid out on the new plantations, and that the balance in