38 ON THE PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF 



until it arrives at timber size. The silver fir is not admissible, 

 and the spruce, though frequently planted, is difficult to manage, 

 and seldom produces handsome specimens or sound timber. Oak 

 and larch are often planted, and where the chalk is not too near 

 the surface they make considerable progress at first, but never 

 develop into large majestic trees. Ash and sycamore assume a 

 bushy, sickly habit of growth at an early stage, and seldom grow 

 to useful timber. Spanish chestnuts, Turkey oaks, Oriental and 

 Occidental planes are occasionally planted, but I have not seen any 

 healthy specimen in soils superincumbent on chalk. Norway 

 maples, horse-chestnuts, tulip trees, and evergreen oaks, grow 

 tolerably, but require good soil and protection from blasting winds. 



From these varieties which succeed on the chalk formation, we 

 may select sufficient to produce pleasing effects, and secure, by 

 careful adaptation, a healthy and profitable crop of timber. Yet 

 how seldom do we find these combined 1 How often do we see 

 those species planted which must inevitably result in failure. For 

 certain positions a well-defined mass of dark-foliaged and spiral 

 trees is required. In such a case the common silver and spruce 

 firs are selected, and of all the trees enumerated, these are the 

 least likely to succeed. The same effects might be obtained by 

 planting Abies Orientalis, A. morinda, or Picea cephalonica, and 

 the results, as regards the health of the trees, would be more 

 satisfactory. For exposed situations the Scotch fir is generally 

 preferred, yet Pinus Austrlaca grows quicker, is better adapted 

 for contrast, and superior for resisting prevailing winds. Where 

 dark-foliaged or sombre trees are required, the common yew and 

 cedar of Lebanon scarcely receive a passing thought ; yet these 

 are not only admirably adapted for ornament, but develop on the 

 Hampshire hills into magnificent trees which can seldom be 

 surpassed. These hints indicate how desirable it is to select with 

 care trees for the chalk formation, and how seldom adaptation is 

 considered in ornamental planting.* 



Hedge-row timber throughout Hampshire consists principally of 

 oak and English elm. Collectively the hedge-rows are beautiful and 

 effective, but individually they are deformities. In almost every 

 case the trees are lopped and trimmed in a barbarous fashion, and 

 their health and vigour thereby destroyed. Unfortunately this 

 reprehensible practice is not confined to Hampshire, but prevails 



* Planting on chalk soils is well treated by Mr Salter in Gard. Chron., 

 1875, pp. 391, 582, 743. 



