THE HORSECHESTNUT 



scarcely be expected to be interested in trees for their 

 beauty alone. Of fruit as something to eat it is 

 quite a different matter, and I know of no other tree 

 that boys take interest in unless to satisfy their 

 appetite. Deer eat the nuts of the Horsechestnut 

 greedily but cattle leave them alone. 



Considering its striking appearance, its handsome 

 flowers, and its general popularity, comparatively 

 little has been written about the tree. No poet or 

 writer of prose has immortalized it in the sense that 

 the Holly, Yew, Weeping Willow, not to mention the 

 Rose, have been immortalized. Some have seen in 

 its prodigality of blossoms and the manner in which 

 they strew the ground a symbol of ostentation, but 

 surely this is harsh judgment. Should it not with 

 more propriety be likened to the exuberance of 

 joyous youth — healthy, carefree, and overflowing 

 with happiness — as schoolboys on holiday? Of all 

 trees the Horsechestnut is most fitting to be re- 

 garded as an emblem of vigorous youth. An alien 

 to the parks and gardens of western Europe and to 

 those of this country it came, and by merit of its 

 hardiness, its sturdy growth, and lovely flowers it 

 conquered, established itself among us and holds its 

 own among the wealth of indigenous trees. 



In literature and art Greece has given much to the 

 world, and the western world gladly acknowledges the 



IK) 



