^4 



thin, it presents an irresistible temptation to the 

 rustic carver : — 



" Not a beech but bears some cypher, 

 Tender word or amorous text." 



The tree retains its leaves very late, and is 

 amenable to pruning. On this account it is often 

 planted as a fence between garden grounds. The 

 only objection to this pra6tice is that the tree is 

 a bad neighbour. For this reason we prefer the 

 hornbeam as a hedge plant ; perhaps box makes 

 a nicer fence than either. 



The beech is easily propagated by its nuts. 

 It is not a profitable timber tree. A beech can 

 be most appreciated in spring, when the young 

 and clear emerald-green leaves first burst out, 

 and in the autumn, when they vary in colour 

 from auburn brown to rich orange. With the 

 sunlight refle6led on the glazed surfaces of the 

 foliage, the beech is a lovely objeft in the fall ot 

 the year. 



The purple beech, F. s. purpurea. — The original 

 tree of this well-known variety was found growing 

 in a wood in Germany towards the end of the 

 Eighteenth Century, and from it all the purple 

 beeches are said to have been propagated. 

 Though the stock frequently comes true to the 

 parent, deviations have arisen. Of this we have 

 a notable instance in the copjier-coloured beech, 

 F. s. citprca. 



