THE ASH. 325 



white strips by Sfert'iim Jiir-siitiiin ,- red rot with white spots by 

 Telephora pcnlix ; red, white and yellow rot intermixed in 

 elongated j)laces by Poh/porus dryadeiis. Seedlings and young 

 plants are dried up by Rosellinia quercina. 



Pruniiifi.— The oak stands pruning well, but care should be 

 taken to remove the branches w^hile small, so that the wounds 

 may be quickly closed. 



TliuDiin;/. — As pure oak woods are generally underplanted, 

 the thinnings should be as follows : — During youth, say up to 

 the age of 30 years, there should be only very light thinnings 

 or none at all. Cleanings may be made to remove any 

 undesirable species threatening the oak, such as birch, 

 willows and aspen. After this early period the thinnings 

 should gradually become heavy, so as to develop a limited 

 number of fine trees which are to form the final crop, assisted 

 by an underwood to shelter the soil, if possible of beech. 



4. Ash — Fraxiniis excelsior (L.). 

 a. Utility. 



The ash yields an excellent timber, hard and heavy, specific 

 gravity when air dried ='73, tough and durable. It is used 

 for a great variety of purposes, by the joiner, carpenter, 

 wheelwright, sievewright, basket maker, etc. It also yields a 

 very good fuel. The leaves are good fodder. 



1). Di^friliution. 

 Europe up to 63^ latitude, also North Africa. It is 

 indigenous in Great Britain and Ireland, going up to 1.350 

 feet in Yorkshire. In the Alps it is seen up to 4,000 feet. 



r. Loralihj. 

 Climate. — Ash does not require much heat, but it is very 

 tender against late frost, and also drought. It is light 

 demanding, standing next to oak, but it bears somewhat 

 more shade in youth. It likes moist air, and is storm 

 firm. 



