222 ATPENDIX. 



nomy, it fhould never be fuffered to Hand longer than the 

 points of the branches, and the complexion of the bark, indi- 

 cate it to be in a growing or healthy ftate, which is not very 

 difficult to afccrtain, by a perfon accuflomed to make obser- 

 vations upon timber; and it is this very circumftance, when 

 properly attended to, that makes this timber more profitable 

 than mod others ; for it is fo early ufeful, that if it be cut 

 when it fquares only fix inches, it will be as durable as an 

 oak of fix times its fize and age. This is in a great meafure 

 accounted for, by its having fo little fap in proportion to 

 other trees, as it will feldom exceed in thicknefs the breadth 

 of the bark ; whereas the fap of an oak will often be from an 

 inch to two inches thick, which is not only ufelefs, but if 

 fuffered to remain, tends very much to the deftruftion of the 

 timber: in other refpe&s, the duration of the chefnut may be 

 accounted for, from its being lefs affe&ed by worms or in- 

 i'ecls than other timber ; otherwife it would be impoffible 

 that fuch roofs as King's college. Cambridge, built in the 

 reign of Henry VI. with chefnut, and many other equally an- 

 cient buildings, fhould have lafted fo long, and be ftill in fuch 

 a perfecl ftate as many of them are. 



Therefore, like Mr. Majendie, I earneftly wifh to fee the 

 culture of this moft valuable plant, extended over every part 

 of the kingdom, as it muft prove highly beneficial to the 

 public. 



But let no one be afraid of cutting it too young ; for, let 

 this tree be ever fo fmall, if it is large enough for the purpofe 

 for which it is wanted, it will be the lefs liable to decay from 

 its youth ; and, if underwood be the objeft, the proverb, in 

 beech countries, will be fully verified, " Cut wood and have 

 V wood." 



