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Some of the largeft alders we have in Eng- 

 land, grow in the bifhop of Durham's park at 

 Aukland-caftle. The generality of trees ac- 

 quire picturefque beauty by age ; but it is not 

 often that they are fuffered to attain this pic- 

 turefque period. Some ufe is commonly found 

 for them long before that time. The oak falls 

 for the greater purpofes of man ; and the alder 

 is ready to fupply a variety of his fmaller wants. 

 An old tree therefore of any kind is a curiofity ; 

 and even an alder, fuch as thofe at Aukland- 

 caftle, when dignified by age, makes a refpec- 

 table figure. The circumference of the largeft 

 of thefe trees is nine feet ten inches, at four 

 feet from the furface. There are many noble 

 alders alfo in the park at Hagley. 



The birch may have feveral varieties, with 

 which I am unacquainted. The moft common 

 fpecies of it in England, are the black, and 

 the white. The former is a native of Canada ; 

 the latter of Britain. Of the white birch there 

 is a veiy beautiful variety, fometimes called 

 the lady-birch, or the weeping-birch. It's 

 fpray being flenderer and longer than the 

 common fort, forms an elegant, penfile foliage, 



F 3 like 



