211 



lucrease. 



inches. 



9 

 11 

 11 

 7 

 10 

 7 

 10 

 11 



Thus, while the average circumference in 1868 was 12 ft. 9 in., in 1884 it had in- 

 creased to 13 ft. 6 in., giving the average increase of 9 inches to each tree during 

 the sixteen years. 



There is a noble avenue of elm trees at Hill Court, two miles from Ross, of 

 which the Woolhope Club has the measurements in its Transactions. They are 

 also believed to have been planted about the year 1700. Captain Kingsmill Man- 

 ley Power has kindly sent the measurement of half -a dozen of the finest trees at 

 the present time, to compare with those taken before. They are as follows : — 



1868. 1884. Increase. 



inches. 

 11 



10 



14 



6 



30 



17 



The increase on the last two trees is so g^eat for their ages that it is just pos- 

 sible that there may be some clerical error in the former account given of them. 

 The roughness of the bark in elm trees, and their liability to the growth of lumps 

 or excresences make it difficult to make the measurements accurate to an inch or 

 two. 



The members who visited the church itself found that the two young elms in 

 the church (see Transactions of 1878, with the illustration facing page 115), which 

 had sprung up in the pew where, it is said, Kyrle was accustomed to sit, were dead. 

 They died in 1882, and the poor dead sticks, which are still treasured, bad a little 

 greenery given to them by Virginian creepers growing from a box beneath. If a 

 suggestion to the powers that be may be allowed, it is that a well-g^own ivy plant, 

 of a narrow -leaved variety should be procured and carefully trained up each tree. 

 The ivy would not only be a more appropriate plant, neater and prettier in growth, 

 but it would also be evergreen. 



The hardy perennial flower garden of Mr. Henry Southall, at the Graig, was 

 next visited by all who attended the meeting. This garden is so well arranged, 

 so carefully tended, and has so great a variety of interesting plants growing in it 

 that it afforded much pleasure. It is only possible to give a very brief account of 

 the masses of blossom to be seen there at this time, of very uncommon plants. 



