498 



ULMUS CAMPESTRIS. 



routrlincss of ago, few of its forest lirrtliren, (tliongh, projiorly spoak'iiig. it is not 

 a forester,) excel it in graiuleur and beauty. 'I'iie elm is the lirst trer that sahites 

 tlie early spring, with its light and clieerful green; a tint which contrasts agreea- 

 bly witii the oak, whose early leaf has generally more of the olive cast. We see 

 them sometimes in fine harmony together, about the end of April and the begin- 

 ning of May. \Ve often, also, see tln^ elm ])lanted with the Scotch pine. In the 

 spring, its light-green is very discordant with the gloomy liuc of its companif)n; 

 but, as the year advances, the elm leaf takes a darker tint, and unites in har- 

 mony with the pine. In autumn, also, the yellow leaf of the elm mixes as 

 kindly with tlie orange of tiic beech, the ociire of the oak, and many of the other 

 fading hues of the wood. ***** The elm tlirows out a beautiful 

 bloom, in the form of a spicated ball, about the bigness of a nutmeg, of a dark- 

 crimson colour. This bloom sometimes appears in such profusion as to thicken 

 and enrich the spray exceedingly, even to the fulness almost of foliage. * * * 

 * * The branch of the elm has neither the strength nor the various abrupt 

 twistings of the oak ; nor does it shoot so much in horizontal directions. Such, 

 also, is the spray. It has a more regular appearance, not starting off at right- 

 angles, but forming its shoots more acutely with the parent branch ; neither does 

 the spray of the elm shoot, like the ash, in regular pairs from the same knot, but 

 in a kind of alternacy. It has, generally, at first, a flat appearance; but, as one 

 year's shoot is added to another, it has not strength to support itself; and, as the 

 tree grows old, it often becomes pendent also, like the ash ; whereas the tough- 

 ness and strength of the oak enable it to stretch out its branches horizontally to 

 the very last twig."* 



As an ornamental tree, the Ulmus campestris is employed both in Britain 

 and on the continent, more especially in France and Holland, for lining avenues, 

 and particular for public walks. For this purpose it is well adapted, from 

 the comparative rapidity of its growth, the straightness of its trunk, the facility 

 with which it bears lopping, the denseness of its foliage, its hardiness, and its 

 great longevity. 



* Forest Scenery. 



