772 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [Apiul 



the tree had been left standing. I have had oak trees peeled which 

 have yielded excellent bark two months after they have been felled. 

 If the bark is left on, the sap cannot evaporate, and fermentation 

 takes place, fungus is formed, and I have seen trees with the sap so 

 decayed in the following winter that when the bark was removed 

 you could pinch it out with your thumb and finger. 



This rapid decay under bark is manifested in some of our soft 

 woods. Alder and birch are worthless if left lying on the ground, 

 unless the bark is properly chipped off the whole length of the tree. 



Wm. Mainwaking. 



Baixfielii, Uth March 188(5. 



SPANISH CHESTNUT. 



SIl^, — I am surprised to see Mr. Blashill's remarks about the 

 durability of Spanish chestnut. Some twenty years ago a Liver- 

 pool timber merchant called on a matter of business. In the course 

 of our conversation the subject of Spanish chestnut came up. My 

 friend told me that Chester Cathedral had been under repair, and 

 that he had taken the opportunity of looking over the building; he 

 found that the roof was being partially renewed, the defective 

 portion was English oak, whilst the sound part was Spanish chestnut. 

 I suggested that the chestnut, in all probability, M'as of more recent 

 date than the oak, but he stated his belief that both parts were 

 coeval, and in this opinion the workmen concurred. I have always 

 considered the Spanish chestnut, when free from shakes, to be equal 

 to oak for durability, and the wood is much easier to work. My 

 informant was Mr. John Griffiths, English timber merchant, 

 Liverpool. W. M. 



SHOULD NEWLY-CLEARED FOREST BE AT ONCE 

 REPLANTED ? 



SIE, — Having cleared about 30 acres of a rather thin plantation 

 of mixed hardwoods, which had stood for about fifty years, 

 and being anxious to replant immediately, I would be glad of your 

 advice on the matter. I am told by some that I should not plant 

 the same kinds of trees again, but rather firs, such as larch, and 

 spruce or Scotch, while others say it may be planted with the same 

 kinds as those which have just been removed. Another set of 

 advisers hold that it should be allowed to lie unoccupied for three 

 years at least before being again planted. I am afraid that in the 

 multitude of counsellors in my case, while there may be wisdom, I 

 may fail to perceive in which direction it lies. I therefore appeal 



