rest, and also
recommended the erection of circular sawing power, for the purpose of
reducing the timber to a portable size and shape for naval purposes, by
which its value would be much increased, and the expense of carriage
reduced. He likewise advised that the plan hitherto pursued of stripping
the bark from the young oaks, standing, should be discontinued, and that
the bark should be removed after the trees were felled, as being more
convenient, and favourable to the durability of the wood, and likewise as
affording the earliest opportunity to the adjoining trees to shoot out
into the vacant spaces. He also thought that the bark was better cured
on stages raising it above the ground, than merely by setting it upon an
end; and he suggested more frequent and moderate thinnings of the
plantations, which for the sake of uniformity should be marked by the
same person, thinning more on the productive soils than elsewhere. Mr.
Brown considered, moreover, that fewer woodmen and keepers might suffice.

Accordingly the bark was this autumn dried on stages, and the number of
keepers was reduced to three. The whole of the timber in Russell's
Enclosure was felled, and the trees at Howler's Slade, Church Hill, Park
End, and on the side of the road to Blakeney were marked for being so,
with the exception of any very large or picturesque ones. At this time
also the Lydbrook Deep Level Colliery, and the East Dean Deep Colliery,
were awarded; and at the close of the year Mr. Machen resigned his office
of Deputy-Gaveller, which was next held by Mr. Warington Smith.

In the spring of 1853 all the timber on Church Hill, at Howler's Slade,
and between the Blakeney Roads was cut down, forming what is now usually
called "the great fall." The mode of management in the Forest was now
rapidly changing, and Mr. Machen, the Deputy-Surveyor, decided this year
to resign, after a service of well nigh half a century. He was succeeded
by Mr. Brown. The flittern bark of this season was dried on stages,
having been taken off the young oaks after they had been felled; but the
process was not found to answer.

The Hagloe estate, situated between the Forest and the river Severn, was
this year purchased by Government on account of its securing the best
site for railway communication with the South Wales line, as well as for
shipping timber, the river in that part being particularly favourable for
the purpose. The formation of three distinct tram