STATE AND PROSPECTS OF ARBORICULTURE IN HAMPSHIRE. 525 
This peculiarity, and the habit of growth, have led some to sup- 
pose that it is a different variety from the common oak; but, so 
far as [ could judge from the acorn and leaf, it is Quercus robur, 
var. pedunculata, The circumference was, in 1878, 11 ft., and 
in 1884, 11 ft. 84 in., thus giving an annual increase of 1°416 in, 
which shows it is thriving. The sheer height is 80 ft., and the 
diameter of the head about 70 ft. ; but no measurements or de- 
scription can give an idea of this superb specimen of the oak ; soil, 
loamy clay, in the Bracklesham beds. 
The next I have to notice is remarkable in having been planted 
by the late Canon Beadon in North Stoneham rectory grounds, 
near Southampton, when home from school, at the age of fourteen 
years, the same having been raised from an acorn in a flower-pot 
by his sister. The Rev. Canon died June 10, 1879, having lived 
to sit under this oak, now a considerable tree, and witnessed a 
cricket match when he had attained his 100th year. The cireum- 
ference is 1] ft. 3 in., and if it was planted as stated, it would be 
at the date (1879) of my measurement eighty-seven years of age ; 
this would give an increase of circumference at the rate of 1:551 
in. per annum ; soil, vegetable loam, in the Bracklesham beds. 
V.£.—To avoid repetition, all the girths are taken at 44 ft. 
The Durmast (Quercus sessiliflora), or “Dur Oak,” as it is com- 
monly called here, is plentiful enough throughout the county, but 
it is not considered to be a native, and when or by whom intro- 
duced is not known. Perhaps it ‘‘came over with William the 
Conqueror.” It is, however, thoroughly naturalised, and is easily 
distinguished from the common oak by its leaves and acorns, and 
to an experienced eye it may be detected by the crenulated appear- 
ance of the bark. The timber is said to be porous, and open in 
the grain, and more liable to dry-rot than the common oak; while, 
on the other hand, it is said to resist the attacks of insects better, 
and that spiders do not weave their webs on the beams. I have, 
however, seen beams free from cobwebs, and apparently for no 
other reason than that there was some peculiarity in the timber 
composing them. The timber merchant will take the Dur Oak 
along with the common oak at the same price ; indeed, it may be 
a question with many of them whether they know the difference, 
In no other part of the county is this variety so plentiful as in 
the large extent of wood commencing near Crampmoor School 
Chapel, and extending north-easterly for about four miles to Hurs- 
ley Park, and known by the names of Newpound Wood, Outwood, 
