supposed Effects of Ivy upon Trees. 33 
markable specimen, which is the outermost tree of a grove, and ` 
the most exposed to the south-west. The tree nearest to it has 
some dead branches, and seems evidently to have yielded to its 
neighbour's superior vigour. As this is an example obvious to all 
the agriculturists who attend the Woburn sheep-shearing, I 
have, with the Duke of Bedford's permission, marked a drive 
very near this specimen, which may serve to call the attention of 
the curious to this subject. -I should here further add the result 
of some experiments made by Mr. Salmon, who is well known 
for his mechanic ingenuity, and who has the superintendence of 
His Grace's woods at Woburn. He tried the comparative sub- 
stance and strength of several kinds of timber with the same 
kinds Ivy-bound as he calls it; but he could not find any dif- 
ference, and is of opinion * that in old trees it does no harm ; 
and that in trees of ten or twelve years old it neither checks 
the growth, nor is the wood lighter or weaker; but he is still 
convinced that he has seen young trees killed by the Ivy." It is, 
therefore, in this sense of the word that Ivy may be considered as 
a destroyer. But experience has discovered that the destruction 
of turnips and other plants while young, and the thinning of green 
fruit from trees, is a part of the economy of nature; and in this 
instance its injury may be granted,—although, for the reasons 
already assigned, I do not see how Ivy can appe plants, to 
_ whose bark it cannot attach itself. 
_ It remains only to mention the advantages to be expected from 
3: is rigorous persecution of this plant: 1st, It may be stripped 
from the trees in winter to feed sheep and deer, to whom it is 
grateful and wholesome food. 2dly, Its berries are a great re- 
‚source to pheasants, poultry, and every kind of bird, during very 
severe weather. And lastly, If it were more generally encouraged, 
or rather if it were less unmercifully destroyed, our winter's 
VOL. XI. F landscape 
