530 STATE AND PROSPECTS OF ARBORICULTURE IN HAMPSHIRE. 
of the road to Whitchurch, opposite a drinking-fountain erected 
in 1868 by the late vicar, the Rev. H. Burnaby Greene, is one 
with a comfortable seat in the hollow trunk, called “ Ashburn 
Rest.” Long may it remain to rest the wayfarer, and as a monu- 
ment to the memory of the worthy vicar. The circumference is 
only 9 ft. 10 in. The “ Grindstone Ash,” near, has a circumference 
of 7 ft. 54 in. ; soil, alluvium, on the chalk. 
Three weeping ashes grow below Hartford Bridge, on the Great 
Western Road, which have a girth of 4 ft., 3 ft. 9 in., and 4 ft. 
4 in, respectively ; the largest stands next to the bridge; soil, 
deep alluvial. 
The Yew (Zaawus baccata) is very plentiful in this county, and 
is to be found in almost every description of soil, from the rugged 
veteran on the wind-swept chalk downs, sometimes clinging on 
the face of some chalk excavation, or on a ruined wall ; to the 
well-grown tree in the fertile valleys; and this county must 
have supplied in early times a large quantity of bows for warlike 
as well as sporting purposes. On some of the chalk slopes that 
occur in such parishes as Hursley and Ashley at the present 
time, the young seedlings can be numbered by thousands, but it 
forms no woods of any extent. The chief use of the yew in olden 
times for making bows is well known. It is now used for rustic 
work, and in fancy cabinet work it forms a beautiful red vein ; 
but the cabinetmaker would rather any other wood, as it does 
not hold the glue. In gate posts, flood-gates, etc., it will well- 
nigh last for ever. Price, from 6d. to 10d. per foot. 
REMARKABLE YEW TREES. 
In the churchyard of Selborne is the finest specimen in the 
county. It stands on the south side of the church, and the best 
view of it is obtained from the south-east. It is very remarkable 
that Gilbert White, in his ‘“‘ Natural History of Selborne,” does 
not mention this tree. This circumstance is unaccountable, as he 
has taken notice of almost every notable thing in his native place 
in his interesting and instructive letters, which were written 
about 100 years ago. It has the large circumference of 25 ft. ~ 
2 in., a sheer height of 55 ft., and spreads its branches from 
north to south 22 yards. There is a tradition that it is 2000 
years of age. It is, however, in vigorous health, the leaves hav- 
ing that deep, dark colour which indicates a thriving tree, and it 
