244 APPENDIX F 



" that the cutting of large branches of the Willows weakens 

 a proportionate amount of root, and renders the tree more 

 liable to fall (witness the number of pollarded trees that 

 have fallen on the Merton side of the lower Cherwell). 

 There is an exact correlation between branch and root : 

 injury to branch means corresponding injury to root. . . . 

 This is a most beautiful avenue in the summer ; and it would 

 be entirely spoiled for thirty or forty years by being pollarded 

 now. Therefore I think it better that the present generation 

 should have the advantage of the Willows for as long as they 

 last, and then plant new ones, which would be far better than 

 to pollard the old ones now, with a prospect of desolation for a 

 long time. They have been threatened since, but still survive." 

 The heads of some of these old pollards measure 6 ft. 

 across. On many of them has accumulated a quantity of 

 vegetable (mould, in which the seeds of Thorns, Brambles, 

 and a variety of other plants have germinated, and the young 

 plants have driven their roots into the rotten heart- wood of 

 the Willows. A list of such epiphytes is given on p. 253. 

 In like situations it might be possible to grow Rhododendrons 

 and other similar plants which will not flourish in the Oxford 

 soil. Two large Poplars (10 ft.) grow on either side of the 

 Middle Lasher. 



LIST OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY PARK 



W. H. Baxter ... . ? 1887-1890 



J. Ellam . ... . . . 1890-1892 



H. Mount ... . ...''. 1892- 



REFERENCES TO ARTICLES IN THE "OXFORD MAGAZINE" ON THE 



PARKS 



1906, Dec. 5. Poynton, A. B., University Parks. [Letter respecting 



children and their games.] 



1908, June 4. W. W. F. Bird-Life in the Parks : Past and Present. 

 June ii. Balfour, H. [A letter.] 



Oct. 22. E. B. P. The Museum and the Parks. A Neglected 

 Chapter. [Followed by seven controversial letters by F. H. H., 

 C. L. S., and E. B. P.] 



