ARBORICULTURE IN HAMPSHIRE. 27 



a quantity of feeble, straggling bushes, which are periodically con- 

 verted into " puffs " for bakers' ovens, instead of a valuable under- 

 growth. 



Another mistake in alder culture is more prevalent. It is the 

 plan of mixing various sorts of underwood with the idea that com- 

 petition is thereby increased. I admit that miscellaneous lots 

 bring together purchasers for each description of produce, but it 

 does not follow that a mixture of hazel and alder will increase 

 competition. The purchaser who converts hazel into sheep cages, 

 hurdles, and thatching rods knows nothing of brush-head, handles, 

 and rake-ware. Consequently he could not convert economically 

 the alder he must purchase with his hazel. 



When two trades are represented by one lot, the value is depre- 

 ciated. It often happens that the whole enclosure is not adapted 

 for the same crop. When this occurs, the forester should confine 

 himself, if possible, to sorts which can be economically manu- 

 factured by one purchaser. Aldei', willow, ash, and Spanish 

 chestnut are used in one branch of industry, and are all admissible 

 in the same enclosure. They ought, however, to be planted in 

 masses, and not on the alternate system generally adopted for 

 mixed plantations. If the enclosure is wet, and subject to spring 

 frosts, willow will prove a more certain crop than alder ; and if 

 the elevated portions are too dry for alder, ash or Spanish chest- 

 nut may be substituted. The two latter are invariably selected 

 for hoops, hop-poles, and crate-rods ; and their conversion is 

 managed by those who prepare brush and rake-ware for sale. 

 These, therefore, may be disposed of separately or combined ; but 

 it would be injudicious to include hazel, oak, maple, or birch, 

 which are required for a distinct branch of industry. These 

 remarks do not apply if the enclosures are so extensive as to 

 afford separate lots for each sort of underwood. When this is the 

 case, the forester has only to consider which crop is the most 

 remunerative, and best adapted to the situation. Ash is used for 

 such a variety of purposes that it is valuable at all ages. As 

 underwood, it is convertible into crate-rods, hurdle stakes, hoops, 

 hop-poles, and sheep cages. It can be sold with almost any descrip- 

 tion of underwood without depreciating its value. It is a rapid 

 gi'ower, and luxuriates in deep, loamy soils, cool, but free from 

 wet. It is not so much cultivated as it ought to be, especially in 

 the south, where there is a continually increasing demand. We 

 seldom find ash timber in quantity even in our largest plantations ; 



