28 ON THE PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF 



and, as underwood, it is only grown on the driest portions of alder 

 gullies. One great obstacle to its successful cidtivation in this 

 thickly-wooded county is the prevalence of rabbits, whose depre- 

 dations on young ash are ruinous. Year after year, the tender 

 shoots are eaten off, which gradually weakens the vitality of the 

 stools, and ultimately the -whole crop is destroyed. Ash under- 

 wood, in favourable situations will pay a yearly rent of nearly 

 £3 per acre, after deducting expenses. If grown in masses, as 

 tiinber, considerably more may be realised. In Hampshire, under- 

 wood is generally preferred, as the returns are quicker and more 

 certain than from timber plantations. The subsequent manage- 

 ment of timber trees exerts a great influence on the receipts, 

 which are necessarily more precarious than from coppice. I do 

 not make these remarks because I am in favour of underwood ; 

 for even in this land of "gullies," "shaws," " withybeds," and 

 coppices, I maintain that nothing pays better than timber planta- 

 tions ; and when forming new enclosures, I invariably recommend 

 timber trees, unless there is some particular reason to the con- 

 trary. 



Spanish chestnut is a valuable crop, planted extensively as 

 coppice in many parts of Hampshire. It is used principally for 

 hoops and hop-poles, but occasionally for sheep cages, hurdle 

 stakes, and crate-rods. For the latter purposes, however, ash is 

 always preferred, and is on the whole a more valuable crop. The 

 Spanish chestnut delights in a deep sandy loam and sheltered 

 situation. In elevated or exposed places, it assumes a bushy habit 

 of growth, which depreciates its value. This also occurs if it is 

 planted in tenacious soils, or wet valleys subject to spring frosts. 

 As a timber tree, it is highly ornamental, and many gigantic 

 specimens may be seen in different parts of the county. It is 

 surprising that this picturesque and fast-growing tree is so seldom 

 grown for timber. I am aware that it is often objected to on 

 account of the supposed brittleness of its timber, and its tendency 

 to ringshake in the heart-wood. Its timber has also the undesir- 

 able reputation of decreasing in durability as the tree advances in 

 age. This remarkable peculiarity is opposed to the natural order 

 of things, and may be attributed to prejudice. I have seen many 

 large Spanish chestnuts converted, and my experience does not 

 support this theory. Although not so hard, and a little more 

 brittle than oak, it is a valuable timber, and very durable if not 

 exposed to weather. I admit its tendency to become "ring- 



