The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-02
.ENGLAND AGITATES FOR THE
 PRESERVATION OF FORESTS.

'fWoodman, spare that treei'' has be- come the battlecry of a considerable and influentior section of English peo- pie. The forests which have played so prominent part in English history are gradually being wiped out, and it is predicted that within century John Bulls island Twill be deruded of its trees unless active measures are soon taken to stop the slaughter. A meet ing has been called for to-day to laAlnch a tree conservation movement, and special attention will be paid to the protection and preservation of the forests famed in' the history of Eng Iand
 To-day is the anniversary of the finding of the dead body of King Will liam Rufus in New Forest, on Aug. 2, HOO. The popular account of his death is that Ire was slain by an aT- row discharged by Walter Tyrrei, the monarch, but there has always been g. suspicion that William Rufus violent and tyfHn11fcal character had something to do with his death. New Forest in Hampshire, was afforested by William the Conqueror in the elev- enth century. The whole ooantry for thirty miles in compass was laid waste and trees planted thereon. Agitation for the preservation of this historic forest was commenced in 1870, but de- spite protests it has gradually been denuded. A triangular stone now marks the spot where William Rufus died. sfssg
 Another famous forest which the eenservationists hope to preserve to posterity is Sherwood Forest, the scene of the activities of the renowned Robin Hood. All that remains of this beautiful woodland is now comprised in the portions of Bilhagh and Bitk-
 
 and coal pits have been opened in the neighborhood, and it is feared that in no considerable time Sherwood Forest will soon be but a. memory. Ey- zen in it's present shrunken state, how ever, it Is one of the most picturesque sections of England.
 For half dozen centuries, from Normans to Stuarts, Sherwood Forest was favorite hunting ground of kings, and there were also many re- ligious establishments scattered in the woodland, remnants of which still re- main. The Duke of Portland, Earl Manvers and the Duke of Newcastle all have estates in the section of the forest known as The Dukeries, and they have been active in preserving the woodland against the man with the axe. ss ,f4
 Sherwood Forest is doubtless a. part of the aboriginal woodland that once almost covered all EngIand. Robert FItzooth, or the Earf of Huntingdon, as he was sometimes called, but whose great fame was gained under the name of Robin Hood, was born in the year 11G0, during the reign of Henry T. As boy he was wild, daring and feck- less Outlawed for debt, he sought refuge in the forest, and, surrounding himself with a. band of kindred spir- it's began the career that made him the most famous highwayn1ala in his- tory. Among his hundred or so~fol- lowers, all expert archers, were Little John, his chief lieutenant, man of enormous stature; George Green, Will Scarlet, F.riar Tuck, monk, arld not least, Maid Marian. Many reputed relics of Robin Hood are to be seen to-day. A fragment of stone carved withta cross, near Hudd dersfield, ; iss sup posed to mark the grave of the robber of Sherwood Forest. A cave near the vilalge. of BlfdWorth is declared to have been the storehouse of Robin $ band. Another cave Is pointed out to the visitor as the stable in which Robin Hoods horses were kept. There are scores of other places supposed to have had some. connection with the greatest of robbers - and plenty of small boys in the villages who, for a few pennies will act as guides