[23]

Oct 30' It is wonderful the number of little Oak Trees on Farnham Heath below S.W. of waverly & between it & the clumps of old Firs.

In some places all wd not have been enabled to have grown up — they would cover Heath like New forest.— Judging from size of little Firs (it is now a pinery instead of a Heath) cattle are Kept out now.— It is clear that oaks depend not on mould, but on absence of cattle — There were very few much much beyond the great clumps, & this looks as if jay or wood-pigeons were part of cause: but I saw rooks chasing each other & playing over this side of Heath.— All the trees about same size, or within 2 or 3 years old — Acorns wd not last long on surface of Heath.— Do they carry as many as they can to feed at leisure? but I shd doubt rooks going to the clumps to rest & feed — Judging from Moor Park, Birches might be added; & Moor Park confirms the Scotch case.— It really is marvellous case.— The young oaks extended from about a mile from Oaks & only in one direction.— I think rooks playing & dropping acorns best explanation.