Journal entry – John Grey – 3 Mar 1834

Monday 3rd March



After dispatching a parcel to Alston, containing grants for trials of veins & Letters to Mr Dickinson &  Mr Stephens, I took a long ride through the Farms in Hexhamshire that I might inspect some new fences, reconcile some differences between the away going & entering Tenants, which they seem to make a point if never doing themselves without an Umpire, & examining a large extent of Woodlands, of which the younger plantations are so unreasonable thick that I had engaged five Labourers at 10/- a Week to go along with the Woodman of that district for a few weeks, to assist him in thinning them.  The stuff which they cut out, consists chiefly of small Scotch fir, which is of little use but to give the tenants to rail & repair their fences with. But its removal gives room & air to the better kinds of wood, & though in some parts, rather too late in being done, will greatly promote their growth & value.  A considerable quantity of Corf Rods has also been obtained in the Woods of that district, which will bring some money, & are cut at the expense of the purchaser.