40 SPANISH CHESTNUT. 



timber, evidently of great antiquity, remained 

 where first impaled, while adjacent parts of 

 oak paling, which had evidently been re- 

 newed, were of more recent workmanship. 



I planted two Spanish chestnuts more than 

 forty years ago : one was a misshapen plant, 

 but if allowed to remain will straighten yet, 

 in time, into shape ; the other I put in with 

 my own spade also, is a beautiful plant of 

 that age, as straight as an arrow. A fine, 

 shining (a rind almost] bark, and a healthy 

 and flourishing crown upon it, prove to me 

 that this kind of tree will not disappoint the 

 hopes of the planter of North Derbyshire, or 

 of those who follow him. 



Miller, in his work, published in 1748, 

 thus observes on the Spanish chestnut: 

 " The first of these trees (Castanea sativa) 

 was formerly in greater plenty amongst us 

 than at present, as may be proved by the old 

 buildings in London, which were for the 

 most part of this timber ; and in a ' Descrip- 

 tion of London,' written by Fitz-Stephens in 



