265 



graceful in form, resembling very much the beech tree in outline, and it is 

 growing very luxuriantly. It is a Japanese tree, which grows in that country 

 to a height of GO or 80 feet. Its beautiful Adiantum-fern-like foliage and its 

 great size render it very remarkable and interesting. It is conjectured that 

 this tree was planted by Lady Catherine Stanhope soon after the year 1775, 

 when she became possessor of Whitfield. Mr. Clive ascertained from the late 

 Sir Hungerford Hoskyns, who as a boy spent much time with his relative at 

 Whitfield, that in 1785 the Salisburia was growing in the place it now occupies, 

 and, though a small tree then, it was always pointed out as something rare and 

 worthy of notice. The tree may be considered therefore at this time (1869) to 

 be 96 or 97 years old. The Salisburia at Panshanger— the Earl Cowper's— it 

 appears is slightly larger than this one, that is, it measures a few inches more 

 in circumference (8 feet in girth). Mr. Paul, the nurseryman at Cheshunt, who 

 described it recently in the Gardener^s Chronide, says it is worth going any 

 distance to see. Mr. Paul might travel into Herefordshire with equal satisfaction 

 —or if he should travel still farther to the Botanical Garden at Pisa, he will see 

 three trees there which are much finer still, and which occupy nearly the whole 

 space, leaving little room for anything else. 



Before leaving the pleasure grounds one tree must be mentioned that 

 adds greatly to the effect of the Whitfield home views. It is the only one of 

 its kind there — it is worthless in itself, and it lies under the ban of vulgarity. 

 It is a specimen of the common upright poplar near the stables, of goodly 

 height, and measuring 11.3. At the Vallets there is a group of three of thesa 

 trees standing together, which are certainly remarkable. These measure 11.3, 

 11.1, and 8.1 respectively in circumference, and cannot be less than 120 feet 

 in height. They are all richly clothed with ivy, and indeed without it would 

 not look well, since in many aspects they are seen in "full view." 



The upright Lombardy poplar (Pnpuivs fastir/iataj scarcely receives the 

 consideration it deserves. Common and light in value though it otherwise may 

 be, it is most useful in landscape. It is to our ordinary round topped forest 

 trees what the spire is to buOdings. It gives variety, height, and elegance to 

 the view, and always forms in it a distinct characteiistic feature. Its presence 

 must always be noticed, and no other tree can supply its place. For these 

 reasons, whilst it should never be forgotten in ornamental planting, it requires 

 great judgment to use it. It should never stand alone for then its great height 

 and uniform slenderness deprive it of all beauty. Even when planted singly 

 amidst other trees its effect is usually lost, and when standing in straight rows at 

 regular distances, apropos to nothing, it is simply hideous. For ornamental 

 purposes, if you want its happiest effects, plant a httle cluster of three or five 

 trees together in some out of the way place behind the house — in the back yard, 

 by the dog kennels, or in the drying ground, for a home association attaches to 

 the tree — and scatter one or two trees here and there amidst other trees near, 

 or by the premises adjoining. In this way the lower two-thirds of the trees are 

 concealed, and when they have attained their full height they will give a 



i2 



