292 HOW TO GROW GOOD TIMBER. 



1861, in our capacity of juryman, we had brought 

 before us specimens of dried walnuts from as many 

 as fifty exhibitors. 



The Spanish chestnut (Castanea vulgaris) has no 

 relationship with the so-called horse-chestnut, which 

 latter, we might just mention, is solely employed 

 as an ornamental tree, if we except its occasional 

 use in cabinet-work. Evelyn, sixty years ago, speaks 

 of it as being " all the mode for the avenues to their 

 country palaces in Erance." It has been much used 

 for this purpose with us, and its magnificent flowers 

 and fine foliage will ever recommend it as an orna- 

 ment about country residences. 



But to return to the Spanish chestnut. This tree 

 is planted with us both for the growth of timber or 

 as underwood for poles ; for the latter purpose it 

 answers well, as it soon grows up again after cutting, 

 and in its young state it goes so soon to heart- 

 wood that the poles are remarkably strong and 

 tough. 



As a timber tree, the chestnut has been very 

 extensively extolled both in this country and on 

 the Continent ; it may, however, be concluded that 

 although its wood is exceedingly useful, it has never 

 been put to the important uses which have been 

 claimed for it. 



Evelyn , speaking of chestnut-wood, says : — " I had 

 once a very large barn near the city, framed entirely 

 of this timber." 



Sir T. D. Lauder tells us that the roof of the 

 Parliament House in Edinburgh is constructed of 

 chestnut, and we have often seen it stated that 

 the magnificent roof of Westminster Hall has been 



