456 THE ELM. [Nov 



THE EUL 



WPJTIXG to a contemporary recently, Mr. Earley, of Ilfovd, 

 gives some interesting particulars aLout tl)is favourite Englisli 

 tree, from ^vhich we cull the following : — " It is somewhat doubtful 

 whether any of the species of Ulmus we are so well acquainted with 

 are really indigenous to this country. If they are, it is very 

 remarkable tliat, unlike other indigenous trees, they are incapable 

 of ripening their seeds here, with perhaps rare exceptions, one of 

 which is the Wych elm {U. montana). And it is a strange fact in 

 connection with this exceptional seeding of this variety that it 

 rarely, if ever, produces suckers, though the elms are generally so 

 wonderfully prone to this mode of propagating themselves. Hence 

 the "Wych elm is usually propagated from seeds, which germinate 

 quickly if sown as soon as gathered, or by the exceptional process 

 of layering. The intention in these notes is to direct attention 

 chiefly to the Huntingdon elm, or Ulmus xcrjcta, of which the 

 American elm, Chichester elm, and Scampston elm are probalily 

 synonymous. These elms are well known to be perfectly 

 free -growing trees in all kinds of soils, though in good deep 

 loams the growth is quicker and the texture of the wood 

 better. The Huntingdon elm, raised from seed by Mr. Wood, 

 of Huntingdon, in the year 1746, is far the most vigorous. 

 Indeed, it is so vigorous, that it has been known to attain 

 a height of 30 feet in ten years' growth from the graft. 

 This elm has besides the merit of growing in groups, so as to 

 produce perfect symmetry, however thickly planted, without the 

 need of pruning, which is a great advantage. Excellent timber is 

 also produced more quickly in this way than is customary with 

 other kinds of trees. As a belt for protection of plantations of a 

 less hardy nature, this elm is well adapted, though so seldom used. 

 Probably few kinds of timber will withstand the action of water 

 better, though whilst pine timbers continue to be imported in such 

 bulk the latter will continue to receive prior use. Should the 

 supplies of pine fall short at any time, no doubt properly cut and 

 matured elm wood will again become useful. A few years since it 

 was abundantly used for the keels of ships, and is to this day 

 generally employed in making wooden pumps. Add to these the 

 fact that the tree will bear pruning, and will transplant well, and 

 little beyond need be added in its favour. That elm timber is not 

 so popular as it used to be, cannot be cjainsaid. Still it is probable 



