ON THE OLD AND KF.M AKKABLE ASIT TIIKES IN SCOTLAND. l;')l 



stition in regard to the ash, consisted in boring a liole in a 

 branch and enclosing within it a living shrew mouse ; so pre- 

 pared, the branch was used to thrash cattle alHicted with craiu]) 

 or lameness, both of which were laid to the charge of the 

 unfortunate mouse, and a cure was thereby supposed to be 

 eft'ected ! 



We have referred to the fref[uency with which the ash and 

 sycamoi'e have been planted in Scotland. They are fre([uently 

 found in close proximity together around farm-steadings and 

 baudets in isolated spots, and on hill-sides exposed to the blast. 

 The one was doubtless selected from the shade which its um- 

 lirageous foliage afforded ; ami the other, for the utility of its 

 timber in mechanical pur])oses ; and both, from their hardihood 

 in witlistantling the severity of the wind uninjured. Unlike 

 the sycamore, however, the ash is more fastidious as to soil, and 

 will not succeed in wet water-logged subsoils, where it soon 

 ])ecomes " stag-headed ; " but in deep loam, or in soil of a friable 

 nature, even at consideral)le altitude, the ash will attain great 

 height, its roots ruiuiing for long distances near the surface, 

 or forcing its tortuous rootlets towards any running brook, 

 under wdiich it delights to spread them. No deciduous tree 

 whatever in cultivation in our plantations, is more injurious to 

 plants growing under it than the ash, from its long and numer- 

 ously-spread hbrous roots, which, being near the surface, com- 

 pletely exhaust the soil, and deter the vegetation of other plants 

 less favourably provided by nature with such feeders. Mr 

 Fennel, in an article of interest on the ash, in " Tlie Mirror" (vol. 

 XXV., p. 212), notices a remarkable tree in Norfolk which, when 

 cut down, although only 45 feet high, was found to have a ro<it 

 loo feet in length. This habit renders it also an unsuitable 

 tree to plant in hedgerows on farms, for it is apt to choke the 

 drains with its rootlets. 



The ash is deteriorated, when it has attained to about 20 feet in 

 height, by severe pruning. This should be done when very young, 

 or what is better, if planted in masses with other trees at due 

 distance, yet sufficiently close to one another, nature will assist 

 herself in rearing trees of straight clear boles, devoid of heavy 

 side limbs, and this is the description of tree which presents 

 most qualifications for timber purposes. It is the root-cut of 

 the bole in the ash which is most tough, elastic, and durable ; 

 and this apphes to the sapling as much as to the tree of full- 

 grown pro])ortions. Indeed, there is no tree which can be so 

 soon found marketable for many varied purposes as the ash, — 

 young trees, of a few inches diameter, being valuable for shafts 

 and implement handles ; while the shoots from the stools of 

 felled trees are eagerly sought for, on account of their supple- 

 ness, elasticity, and toughness. 



