160 ARBORICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF KENT. 



On the chalk formation the principal tree is beech, but as cop- 

 pice for hop poles it is worthless. Hop poles made of beech decay 

 in two years, while Spanish chestnut and ash poles stand eight to 

 twelve years ; and chestnut has often lasted double that time. The 

 poles are dipped in creosote, which makes them twice as durable. 



In several parts of Kent English elm is grown, which sometimes 

 attains large dimensions, measuring 250 to 300 cubic feet, and 

 realises from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per foot. The county abounds in hedge- 

 row timber and park trees in the pasture fields, which afford fine 

 shade for stock in slimmer. Were it not for these hedgerow trees, 

 it would be impossible to keep stock out of the coppice in hot 

 weather. The hedgerow timber in Kent has escaped the barbarous 

 treatment it is subjected to in many parts of England (especially 

 elm), that of lopping the side branches, and leaving only a small 

 tuft at the top, which gives the landscape a poor appearance com- 

 pared to that it would have were these trees allowed to follow 

 their natural habit of growth. 



Larch, spruce, and Scotch fir are interspersed among the oak on 

 many estates in clumps, and single specimens for embellishment, 

 but are seldom grown for profit, except on the downs or poor 

 moorish soil. The quality of Scotch fir grown in Kent is inferior 

 to that grown in Scotland. It sells at 6d. to 9cl. per foot, and is 

 in little demand even at that price. In several districts in Kent 

 and Sussex, where the soil is thin and poor, the oak trees spread 

 out a bushy top at the height of 8 or 10 feet, which is caused 

 by the roots not being able to descend into the soil, which rests 

 on a white barren gravel or sand ; but as chestnut thrives well, 

 the oak trees have been cut, and coppice cultivated instead, which 

 realises a far better return. Viewing this system from a financial 

 point of view, it is the best that can be adopted, as the soil is not 

 fit to grow oak profitably. The rate of growth is small. There 

 is little yield of revenue from the oaks ; and their spreading tops 

 do great injury to the coppice. On the other hand, in a landscape 

 point of view, the removal of the oaks greatly impairs the amenity 

 of the estates where practised ; and if only ten trees were saved 

 per acre, they would give a clothed appearance to the country. 

 Ash for timber ought to be cultivated, instead of oak, in moist 

 clay ; in such it is a profitable tree, always saleable of all sizes, 

 a fast grower, and preferable among coppice, which it does not 

 injure like oak. 



Another system which is remunerative, especially on dry, open 



