BRITISH FOREST TREES 309 



extent in the manufacture of gunpowder. The bark con- 

 tains a large supply of tannic acid, which might have some 

 importance if its powers of coppicing were only greater. 

 The fruit is eagerly eaten both by cattle and deer, so that 

 where a strong head of game is maintained, the introduction 

 of the horse chestnut along the skirts of the forest, or 

 wherever an abundant supply of light, air, and warmth 

 would stimulate to the production of large and regular 

 supplies of seed, might prove of advantage ; when macer- 

 ated, the fruit is also a good form of nourishment for fish, 

 being readily eaten by carp in particular. 



The rearing of seedlings and transplants offers no special 

 difficulties to contend with. The seed is usually put into the 

 prepared seed-beds in autumn, being sown in rills with about 

 four inches between every two seeds. Care must be taken to 

 have the smooth side upwards and the grey scar undermost, 

 otherwise malformation of the root-system and weakly 

 seedlings are the results, as was proved by experiments in 

 the forest-nursery at Carlsruhe. 1 When it is preferred to 

 preserve the seeds through winter, and to sow in spring, this 

 can easily be done by mixing them with fresh, sandy soil. 

 The seedlings can do fairly well in the open, but should at 

 first receive some slight shade and protection to assist in 

 their better development. As they soon throw out a strong 

 tap root, they should usually be planted out as one or two 

 year-old seedlings, the tap-root being trimmed at the same 

 time ; when older seedlings are put out, the amputation of 

 the tap-root affects the growth of the plant considerably. 



When transplants are wanted for the formation of avenues 

 or for the adornment of streets in towns and cities, the one or 

 two year-old seedlings are set out close together in nursery 

 beds, so as to stimulate growth in height and draw them up 

 without many side-shoots; but the same end can perhaps be 

 1 Wcise, Lett fatten fiit </// ll'aldbaii, 1 888, p. 172. 



