STATE AND PROSPECTS OF ARBORICULTURE IN HAMPSHIRE. 543 
‘* O’ergrown with lichens to the very top, 
And hung with heavy tufts of moss,” 
they present such a hoary appearance, that they seem to be the 
oldest of all living trees. In Hackwood Park, near the bridge 
over the ponds, is one springing from the ground with three 
stems, spreading and twisting its limbs in such grotesque forms 
that it bafiles description. Those in Hursley Park are remarkable 
for the quantity of mistletoe on them, giving the tree quite a 
green appearance in winter. As to the value of hawthorn timber, 
I know nothing. 
The quantity of hawthorn trees in the county being so great, it 
would be difficult to point out the largest, or to say what is a 
large one; for in the course of my reading I have never seen the 
girth of one recorded. 
The largest I have measured is in Farley Chamberlayne rectory 
grounds ; the girth is 5 ft. 3 in., a bole of 7 ft., and a sheer height 
of 30 ft. ; soil, clay on the chalk. The next one is in front of the 
“Seven Stars” Inn at Tidcombe Bridge, near Fullerton Railway 
Station, “ with seats beneath the shade.” It has a circumference of 
4 ft. 3 in., and a height of 20 ft. ; soil, alluvium, of the river Test. 
A very fine specimen stands on the bank of a field at the cross 
roads on the west side of the road leading from Braishfield to 
Romsey. It has a circumference of 4 ft. 7 in., a bole of 7 ft., and 
a sheer height of 30 ft. It has a finely rounded head, and is said 
to blossom every year ; soil, loamy clay, on the Bracklesham beds. 
Tue Houty (Llex aquifolium). 
The holly is so plentiful that it has been stated that the New 
Forest alone contained as much holly as was to be found in all 
England ; but this may be an exaggeration. Taking the whole 
county, there are few, if any, other counties that can boast of such 
a quantity. This especially is the case with the north and south 
divisions, where it is more abundant than in the middle division. 
The larger timber is highly prized by the cabinet-maker, turner, 
carver, etc. ; and the smaller sticks for whip-handles, walking-sticks, 
etc. Price from 3s. to 4s. per foot. 
The remarks as to the hawthorn may be taken as applying to, the 
holly. 
The largest specimen is in Dogmersfield Park, near Odiham, on 
the high ground to the east of the mansion, and west of a large 
oak. The circumference is 6 ft. 6 in., the bole 8 ft., a height of 
VOL. XI., PART III. 20 
