best for our islands 81 



north of Germany, with the white stems rising like 

 silver columns all round, might be more often effectively 

 grouped. Nor is any introduced tree so fine in form 

 when grouped as the Ash, as one often sees it round 

 a farm-house on the hills or in the north. 



In all the changes of fashion as to trees there never 

 was one in which people were so carried away as by 

 planting the giant conifers of Mexico and California, 

 nor one in which failure has been so complete. And we 

 have not only to suffer the loss of these trees, but there 

 is the penalty of our neglecting the trees of the forest 

 plain, from Oaks to Maples, which are far more suited 

 for a lowland country than the conifers of those lovely 

 mountains fanned by Pacific Ocean breezes. Similarity 

 of climate is what we should always remember, and the 

 more like the climate of our own country, the more 

 certain success will be. The region of the Corsican 

 Pine, and that of the Cedars of North Africa, is so high 

 in altitude that it has somewhat the same conditions of 

 climate as our own country, the proof being that we see 

 our own hardy wild flowers and shrubs growing there 

 among the Cedars. Our aim should be not the increase 

 of kinds, but making good and artistic use of those that 

 not only endure but thrive in our climate. Hardiness is 

 only one of the conditions, as the hardiest trees may fail. 



If these pleas for the first place in our work being 

 given to the trees of Europe and adjacent regions of 

 Asia and North Africa have any value for the southern 

 and warmer parts of our islands, they will apply with 

 greater force to cold midland and northern districts 

 where only really hardy things thrive. And it is worth 

 remembering that apparent health in youth is not always 

 a proof that the tree will prove of lasting value. 



G 



