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WASTE-LANDS.

TnE waste lands of Berkshire are very extensive, and occupy a great proportion of the county. The Forest of Windsor, Maidenhead Thicket, Tylehurst Heath, Wickham Heath, and the numerous commons that are to be found in all directions, contain, without exaggeration, at least 40,00O0 acres.

In their present wild and uncultivated state, little or nothing is returned by them to the community: except some deer, in the Royal Forest, we generally see on all the coMMoNs and wasrE LANDs, a number of miserable cattle, sheep, and horses, which are a disgrace to their respective breeds, and the cause of many dis- tempers, which I am persuaded, have their origin, from the ani- mals, who are doomed to the impoverishing subsistence, of graz-

ing on them.

OBSERVATIONS.

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The waste lands, and commons of this kingdom, have, for centuries past been the theme of many publications and a sub- ject, on which many speculative thoughts have been given. The plans proposed for their improvement, have been various, but they have all agreed, in the propriety of their cultivation; and complained of the loss, the nation sustains, by their present neglected state.

At this time, when agriculture is so highly patronized, and encouraged, it may be hoped some effectual plans may be es- tablished, to polish this rough jewel, which lies disregarded, and unproductive in all parts of this industrious island.

To apportion the waste lands and commons, is certainly an arduous and difficult task. We often find the possessors of large property, as discontented and averse to any step, that leads towards bringing this dormant treasure to the community, as the low

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For remarks, Lc.