468 OBSERVATIONS ON 



the roots to extend, and by spreading sawdust, &c. as related 

 in the Phil. Trans. I wish I had begun with beeches (my 

 favourite trees as well as yours,) I might then have seen very 

 large trees of my own raising. But I did not begin with 

 beech till 1741, and then by seed; so that my largest is now 

 at five feet from the ground, 6 feet 3 inches in girth, and 

 with its head spreads a circle of 20 yards diameter. This tree 

 was also dug round, washed, &c." Stratton, 24 July, 1790. 



The circumference of trees planted by myself at 1 foot from 

 the ground (1790.)* 



feet, inches. 



Oak in 1730 ----- 4 5 



Ash 1730 4 6J 



Great fir 1751 ----- 5 



Greatest beech 1751 ----- 4 



Elm 1750 5 3 



Lime 1756 5 5 



* [Of the six trees mentioned in the text, I am able with certainty to 

 identify five ; and it appeared to me that it would be interesting to give 

 their present dimensions (October 1876). I have taken the circumference 

 of the trunk at 3 feet from the ground. The elm has been injured by 

 the wind, so that its height cannot be given with certainty. The oak 

 exhibits signs of decay ; the rest are in perfect health and beauty. 



When planted. Girth at 3 feet. Height, 



ft. in. ft. 



Oak 1730 85 54 



Ash 1730 88 85 



Great fir (spruce) . . 1751 82 92 



Greatest beech . . 1751 11 9 90 



Elm 1750 10 9 



In the year 1790 the infant son of the Rev. Edmund White, vicar of 

 Newton Valence, was brought down to his uncle's premises; and an Abele 

 sapling being placed in his little hand, he was made to plant it in the 

 presence of his uncle and others of the family. This tree has always 

 been known as the " Yalden tree," after the Christian name of the baby 

 planter, who became the Rev. Yalden White, and who died curate of the 

 parish of Crondal. It is now 8 feet 8 inches in girth at 3 feet, and 90 feet 

 high. There are several other trees which, although not recorded as 

 having been planted by Gilbert White, may very probably have owed 

 their existence to him. It is known that he was in the habit of carrying 

 beech-mast in his pocket, and distributing the seeds in hedgerows and 



