270 On the Planting of Forest-Trees. 



well as in good sands and loams ; but the soils and situations in 

 which it prospers best are those on the lower slopes, and in the 

 valleys of the older rocks of the transition series, particularly those 

 of the grauwacke, where it rises spontaneously, and often arrives 

 at an immense size. Where the valley of the Tamar cuts through 

 this rock I have seen one whose three principal branches are 

 each equal to a very large tree. Its seed should be planted in 

 February or March. 



The common English elm ( TJlmus ccmiijestris) may be said to 

 be a weed of the soil, as it propagates itself in the hedgerows of 

 most of the fertile soils of the south of England, but is observed 

 not to prevail much in the more northern counties. Though it is 

 generally found to attain its largest dimensions in rich bottom 

 meadows and deep diluvial soils, it nevertheless grows to a very 

 great size in some of the regular strata, such as the richer portions 

 of the greensand, the ironsand, the inferior oolite, and in the 

 deep marly land of the new red-sandstone. It is often found 

 thriving well in conjunction with oak ; but on very stiff clays its 

 progress is slow and its appearance stunted. It is very grateful 

 for manure, and with such aid grows to a great size even on firm 

 clay, as may be seen on some of the wide and rude farm -yards in 

 the west of England. It produces its flowers in April and May. 

 As this, tree abounds so much in hedgerows, it is seldom planted 

 but in parks and pleasure-grounds for the purpose of ornament 

 and shade, where, from its rich and dark foliage and beautiful 

 outline, it forms the principal grace. The toughness of its 

 timber and its durability under water recommend it to the ship- 

 builder for the keels of ships ; and it is applied to many valuable 

 rural purposes. The miserable practice of shrouding and pol- 

 larding this tree, in a large portion of the south and west of 

 England, is exceedingly unsightly and disgraceful. If the under 

 branches were gradually and carefully removed during the early 

 stage of their growth, they would prove less injurious to the ad- 

 joining land, and more creditable to the proprietor.. Indeed pol- 

 lards of every kind are a disgrace to an estate upon which they are 

 suffered to stand. 



The Cornish elm is seldom seen but in that county ; it some- 

 what resembles the common elm in its general appearance, but 

 is much smaller, and the timber is whiter. It appears to be con- 

 fined to the more sheltered parts of the county, and grows in the 

 hollows of the clay slate. 



The Wych elm ( Ulmus montana) grows with long-spreading 

 branches ; its leaves are much larger than those of the common 

 elm, but it is very inferior to that tree both in depth of shade and 

 beauty of outline : its timber, however, is almost equally tough, 

 and it will attain a considerable size v/here the other would 



