ARBORICULTURE IN HAMPSHIRE. 29 



shaken," and to assume a dwarf habit under unfavourable condi- 

 tions ; but the same thing occurs to oak timber if the soil, etc., are 

 unsuitable. I can point to large oak plantations on light sandy 

 soils, with a hard substratum, where every alternate tree is " ring- 

 shaken;" but I cannot accept this as evidence of the inferiority 

 of oak timber. Several clumps of Turkey oaks planted in similar 

 soils are so severely split in longitudinal fibre that they are only 

 fit for firewood ; but it would be wrong to assume from this that 

 Tux-key oak is useless for every purpose except for fuel. On the 

 same pi'inciple, Spanish chestnut, grown under advei'se conditions, 

 will produce inferior timber, whereas, if grown in favourable 

 situations, the timber will be sound and durable. It is admirably 

 adapted for the interior of buildings ; and we have abundant proof 

 that it was formerly esteemed for this purpose. I am informed 

 that the whole of the timber used in Westminster Hall is Spanish 

 chestnut ; that the workmanship of the roof cannot be excelled for 

 magnificence, strength, and beauty ; and that its durability is 

 established by the fact that it has stood seven centimes, and shows 

 no symptoms of decay. Many old farm buildings in Hampshire 

 attest the fact that this timber was once largely used; and in 

 most cases the old woodwork is in good preservation. These cir- 

 cumstances justify me in claiming for this tree more attention 

 than it has hitherto received. 



Alder underwood, under favourable conditions, occasionally 

 realises a clear annual rent of £3 per acre for the time the crop 

 has occupied the land. I have sold such underwood at £28, 7s. 6d. 

 per acre for nine years' growth. "Willow of the same age, and 

 under favourable conditions, realises £18 to £20 per acre. In 

 marshy places which cannot be drained effectually, willows can be 

 successfully cultivated, if water does not stagnate about the roots. 

 Alder enjoys a wet, loamy soil ; but to grow a fidl crop, super- 

 fluous water should percolate freely to open drains made at from 

 10 to 30 yards apart. Draining, either for timber or under- 

 wood, is very important, but is often carelessly performed, or 

 entirely neglected. In timber plantations, the efficacy of draining 

 is not readily apparent ; practical men see the increased vigour 

 and healthy luxuriance of the trees, but the financial results can 

 only be ascertained after many years. With underwood, the 

 benefits accruing from draining are conclusively demonstrated at 

 the first sale ; and this may account for underwood draining being 

 often attended to on large estates where plantation draining is 



