Notes and Queries. 86 1 



In reply to "Flying Scotchman," page 792, as to why oaks are barked 

 standing in Yorkshire, I beg to say that in such cases the fall of oak has 

 generally been sold to the timber merchant standing, who generally 

 considers the quality of the timber is improved by being partially seasoned 

 on the stool, it not being so liable to split by the heat of the sun 

 during summer. It is cut down in the following autumn and winter 

 months. The operation is performed by placing a long ladder to the 

 tree; then, if the tree is straight and clean, the man carries a bag of 

 spikes hung to his belt at the back, which he drives in where there are 

 no branches to stand upon. He carries in a loop in his belt a small axe 

 for cutting oflP the branches and driving in the spikes as he goes up, 

 leaving short stumps to stand on ; he also carries a barking iron with 

 a handle like a T in his belt, and when he gets to the top commences 

 to strip off the bark as he comes down. There is no moss on the 

 trees, therefore no scraping is required, as I find is the case in Ire- 

 land, owing to the dampness of the climate. A man accustomed to the 

 work can strip from four to eight moderate-sized trees in a day, though 

 there are generally four to six men in a gang of peelers, who climb in 

 their turns, and while some are up the trees the others strip the blanches 

 which they have cut off. I believe the practice is gradually dying out, as 

 it retards the cleaning up of the plantations, and is also injurious to the 

 growth of the young shoots. — W. Tomlinson, Tullamore. 



Holly Hedges. — If your correspondent, Mr. John S. Hall, page 792, 

 plant quick or common thorn along with holly, the latter will close 

 up even if planted at the distance of two feet apart. The one 

 assists the other to grow up more rapidly, and the holly will entirely 

 take the place of the thorn in course of time. JS^ip the points off the 

 leading shoots of holly when young, to force strength into the lower 

 branches. There are several of the same sort of hedges about this place. 

 — J, Webster, Gordon Castle. 



PiNUS LARicio., — Will some of your correspondents kindly inform me if 

 they have found the Pinus laricio to be proof against the attacks of rabbits 

 and hares ? And would they recommend me to plant it where larch and 

 Scots fir have been killed by these vermin ? Also, would those who have 

 had experience of its timber kindly say what is its market value ? — South 

 Devon. 



Kilmarnock Willow. — Would you, or some of your correspondents 

 kindly inform me where this striking variety of Weeping Willow originated ? 

 with any particulars of its history. — S., Notts. 



Is Yew Poisonous ?— Can you or any of your readers tell me under 

 what conditions the yew is poisonous to cattle ? A neighbour's cow died 

 suddenly the other day, after eating (as it is said) of a yew bough, which, 

 unknown to me, had grown through my garden hedge into the said neigh- 

 bour's field. Now my cows and horses have for years and years been 



