266 



distinctive character to the home views from every side. They have, too, an 



additional value iu such situations — though the observation, bo far as the writer 



knows, is entirely his own— they jcill act as lightning conductors if a storm 



occurs near them. It is now some years since his attention was first drawn to 



this point. He saw three poplars standing singly that had been struck in 



one week when thunder storms were prevalent. In two of them the top 



branches were more or less killed, and in two the bark was scored two-thirds of 



the way down the tree. He has observed its effects on many other trees since this 



time. This particular tree, and one of the tall trees at the Vallets, seems to 



have been struck, and thus to have had some of their upper branches killed. 



Lightning rarely shatters a poplar as it will do a tree of harder wood. 



" Thon rather with thy sharp and sulpli'rous bolt, 

 Splitt'st the unu'cdyeabU and gnarled oak. 

 Than the soft myrtle," — Shakespeare. 



There is a very remarkable instance at Whitfield of its wonderful power 

 in this way. In a thunder storm which occurred August 13th, 1857, a fine young 

 oak, on the lawn in front of the house, of some 70 or 80 years growth, waa 

 struck and shivered into splinters by it. Its bole was split completely to the 

 ground, and its Umbs scattered in fragments on every side. It affords a singular 

 proof of the force of the electric current, and has been left as an object of great 

 interest to visitors ever since. Plant then the upright Lombardy poplars here 

 and there for the benefit of the landscape, and as vegetable lightning con- 

 ductors, if you please, on the authority of the AVoolhope Club. 



The Elm tree is but slenderly represented at "WTiitfield. There are four 

 trees at the end of the north entrance, near the back buildings, but not of a 

 remarkable size. They measure 10ft. llin., 9ft. 8in., 10ft. 6in., and Oft. Sin. 

 in circumference respectively, and these are aU. A cluster or two would make 

 a pleasant variety at Whitfield, say for example a cluster of seven trees at the 

 far side of the Bason Meadow instead of some of the numerous oaks scattered 

 there. But let them not be bought from a nurseryman, for they should be 

 planted on their own roots, to grow well on this strong soil.* That Elms will 

 grow well on this estate is very abundantly proved by that very fine tree. 



The Trevil Elm which is situated on the green at Trelough, close to 

 the high road. It is a very fine picturesque old tree, and although it has lost 

 some of its chief limbs on the north side, and decay has attacked its centre, 

 it is yet very luxuriant. It measures 17 feet 8 inches in girth at 9 feet from 

 the ground, is 90 feet high, and has an east and west diametric spread of foliage 

 of 29 yards. It is a well-known tree, with its rough log benches around the 

 stem. Under its shade the affairs of the district are wont to be discussed, and 

 from time immemorial it has had all the parish notices aflaxed to it. The 

 accompanying photograph gives a good representation of it. 



* The evils of the system of gr.ifting the English Elm on voung plants of the 

 Scotch Elm — now so utiiversaJly practised by nurserymen — was well brought before the 

 clnb by Dr. Bull in his elaborate paper on the Elm tree, and it is a practical fact of great 

 impertance since the Scotch Elm roots require a light soil, and will not grow well in the 

 heavy loam of Herefordshire. (See page 90.) 



