148 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
works and on the facts as to their probable date ascertained during the Club's
explorations in 1881) and so on to Monks Wood. There, by the
kind permission of Mr. McKenzie, the Superintendent, a tent had been
erected under the shade of the beeches, in which tea was served.
Full opportunity was taken during the ramble to demonstrate to those
interested the effect of the thinning operations, and, by way of contrast, the
condition of a few acres of woodland which had been left very much in their
early forlorn condition, as an object lesson for those who ask for an "un-
improved" forest. Many of those present were much struck with the abun-
dance of young seedling oaks, beeches, hornbeams and hawthorns which were
to be seen in many places. But it was pointed out that almost all these were
doomed to destruction by the cattle (and perhaps the deer, which are
certainly now too numerous) and that the prospect of the forest renewing itself,
unless some very drastic measures were taken to preserve and encourage the
growth of these seedlings, was extremely doubtful. The old pollards are
dying off—and a constant uprearing of vigorous young wood is the thing
above all others to be desired.
After tea, a short Ordinary Meeting (the 203rd) was held in the tent,
the President in the chair.
The following were elected members of the Club:—Mr. Harold L.
Barnard, Mr. John Boardman, Mrs. Boardman, Mr. P. Anderson Graham
and Mr. J. Thompson.
Prof. Meldola expressed the regret of all present at the lamentable
accident which had befallen Sir Fowell Buxton, which had deprived them of
the pleasure and benefit of his presence and that of Mr. E. N. Buxton.
At the request of the President, both Prof. Farmer and Prof. Marshall
Ward gave short addresses on the state of the Forest as it had come under
their observation that afternoon-and both emphatically insisted on the
necessity of some steps being taken to insure the growth of young trees, so
that the forest might be renewed in the years to come.
The President also made some remarks on this subject, and proposed
that a cordial vote of thanks should be passed to Prof. Farmer and Prof.
Marshall Ward for their attendance and the addresses they had made.
Sir Frederick Young, as an old friend of the Forest, and as one who had
known it in the days long before it had come into the hands of the Corpora-
tion, expressed his pleasure at the improvement manifested. He warmly con-
gratulated all present, and indeed all residents of the London district, upon the
magnificent heritage upon which they had entered. He seconded the votes
of thanks, which were carried by acclamation.
The walk back was over the Furze Ground, by Broadstrood Lodge, and
through what was formerly "Oak Hill Enclosure," and over Theydon Green
to the station.
Thursday, June 6th, 1901.
The Conference Meeting and visit to Dunmow and Bigod's, held this
day, is reported under a separate heading in the present part (p. 157).