72 The greater summer-leafing trees 



a rich soil. Fine trees are none the less found in high 

 and exposed situations on dry rocky soils, and however 

 much exposed, such trees are rarely injured by gales. 

 The Sycamore is more abundant in the north of England, 

 in Scotland, and in Wales, than in the south country. 



Among the kinds of Maples which have been tried 

 the best for our country would seem to be the Norway 

 Maple ; but it is a large family and some Maples may in 

 time be found worthy of the name of finest trees for our 

 country. 



The Birch. This is not among the most important trees 

 for the high forest, and as it often sows itself in our 

 woods we need trouble ourselves less about it, except 

 where beauty is concerned. The effect of the large 

 Birches, grown in pure woods of them in North Germany, 

 is one of the most beautiful of woodland effects. 

 Among the greater, or tree Birches, after our own 

 (including its varieties or allies), are the Canoe Birch; 

 Paper Birch, a forest tree of northern America, which 

 is hardy in Britain ; the River Birch, also a tall tree of 

 northern America ; the Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), the 

 Yellow Birch, sometimes 100 feet high. 



The Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). From whatever 

 point of view regarded, this is one of the most mysterious, 

 beautiful, and distinct of hardy trees. True the tree is 

 common enough in the Far East, where it is said to have 

 spread from China to Japan with the Buddhist faith many 

 centuries ago, and is now frequent in temple gardens 

 and valued for its fruit. Eastern travellers also tell of 

 Ginkgoes measuring up to 40 feet round and of a great 

 age, to be seen here and there in the interior of Northern 

 China, but these are all under cultivation, and if yet 

 existing as a wild tree it must be amid the mountain 



