290 HOW TO GROW GOOD TIMBER. 



la Gloucester, east side of the Severn, and as far as 



Oakley Park, Cirencester, in 1856 



In Worcestershire, in 1857 



In North Wales, Beddgelert (pointed out to us by- 

 John Savory, Esq.), iu 1859 



In Sussex, very sparingly, in 1860 



In Alice Holt Forest, and far from abundant, in ... 1861 



About Hastings, very plentifully, in 1862 



We have this season observed a lot of the young 

 galls ; but last year, for the first time, we discovered 

 that, in many cases, the maggot had been extracted by 

 some small bird, one of the titmice (Parus cceruleus) ; 

 and, if so, wherever young oaks may be growing, it 

 should afford an additional reason for the protection of 

 these useful birds. The magnitude of the evil, unless 

 checked by some means, may be estimated from 

 the fact that, in 1856, we could scarcely find half 

 a dozen galls within a wide district, and now all 

 around may be found trees, not more than 10 feet 

 high, upon which are no less than from one to five 

 hundred distinct galls. 



"We conclude these remarks upon our native oaks 

 with the fervent hope that in " Merry England " it 

 may ever be as described by dear old Chaucer : — 



A pleasant grove 

 # # # # # 



In which were okes grete, streight as a line, 

 Undir the which the grass so fresh of hew 

 Was newly sprong, and an eight fote, or nine, 

 Every tree well from his fellow grew, 

 With branches brode, laden with levis new, 

 That, sprongin out agen, the sonne shene. 

 Some very rede; and some a glad light grene. 



The Floure mid the Zea/e. 



