170 THE FRUITS OF THE COUNTRY-SIDE 



ALDER (Alnus Glutinosa) 



While we can scarcely regard the Alder on its own 

 merits as one of our more attractive trees, it often, when 

 found in large masses, gives a greatly added charm to 

 our river scenery, whether found fringing the rushing 

 torrents and mountain streams of the north, or by the 

 more placid streams of the south, that have a tranquil 

 charm of their own as they wind amidst the low-lying 

 meadows. The ramification of the alder is somewhat stiff, 

 and the growth a little formal, lacking the picturesqueness 

 of many of our trees, but its masses of dark foliage contrast 

 admirably with the lighter green of the willows and black 

 poplars that are ordinarily its companions in the watery 

 situations,^ which form its habitat. It may be found 

 occasionally fifty or sixty feet high, but is ordinarily con- 

 siderably less than this, anything from a mere shrub to 

 a small tree. It may be found in sodden, water-logged 

 land, in moist woods, fringing ditches and such-like aqueous 

 spots, but thrives best where there is some little current 

 and movement of the water. 



It is one of the commonest of our indigenous trees 

 if we only seek it in its proper domain. In Anglo-Saxon 

 times it was the ^/r, alr^ or aler^ orthography in those 

 days having a licence that is now denied to it. The " d " 

 in our word alder is supposed to have been inserted at 

 a later date for the sake of euphony ; but other folks 



' The shooter eugh, the broad-leaved sycamore, 

 The barren plaintaine, and the walnut sound ; 

 The myrrhe that her foul sin doth still deplore : 

 Alder, the owner of all vvaterish ground. 



Fairfax. 



