Of Plantations. 487 



winds on the sea-coast. It is cultivated at little expense, 

 and grows faster than any other tree. Its wood and bark 

 are likewise of considerable value. In twenty-eight years 

 this species of willow has been known to rise to the height 

 of fifty-eight feet, with a large trunk. A belt of this willow, 

 opposed to the south-west, would form a speedy and effec- 

 tual screen ( 583 ) 



There is a particular species of oak, (an evergreen called 

 the Quercus ilex\ which grows spontaneously in the woods at 

 Holkham, and flourishes there, even where exposed to the 

 northern sea-blast. It is a different species from the Quer- 

 cus vivens, or live oak of America ( 584 ). 



The Quercus cerris. The Turkey oak grows in great luxu- 

 riance within reach of the sea breeze at Holkham. Some 

 of those trees are near 100 years old, and are fine timber 

 trees of large dimensions. 



The seeds of a tree, hitherto unknown in Europe, have re- 

 cently been brought into this country from Demerara, (the 

 Corsida), which, it is said, will grow with vigour even in 

 salt water. 



The plane or sycamore is likewise an excellent defence 

 against sea-storms. It is less affected by the blast than 

 almost any tree, and is upon that account well fitted to 

 form a screen of defence against the sea-breeze. It has 

 been remarked, that both the ash and the common sycamore 

 have large resinous buds, and that their shoots, though 

 large, are not liable to injure, or to lash each other, in the 

 spring of the year, when they are tender ; and thence are 

 the best adapted for exposed situations ( 585 ). The ash 

 thrives well near the sea, on account of the lateness of its 

 foliage. The oriental and occidental planes, however, are 

 extremely tender, and a few years ago a number of them 

 were blasted to the west of London. 



The Tamarix Gallica thrives rapidly in situations most 

 exposed to the blast of the sea. It makes an excellent 

 hedge, and, in seven years, has grown from ten to twelve 

 feet in height, and feathered to the very bottom. It thrives 

 well even about the Lizard in Cornwall, and there cannot 

 be a more exposed situation ( 586 ). It does not however, 

 stand frost well, and, on that account, the Tamarix Germa- 

 nica, being a hardier shrub, ought to be preferred in the 

 bleaker situations. 



The Flowering elder, (Sambucus nigraj, is found peculiar- 

 ly capable of resisting the influence of the sea. It may be 

 used as a nurse to protect other plants from the sea-spray 



