THE OTHER HARDWOODS 151 



Most of it is now used for furniture, and for 

 making coffins. 



Thriving well even amid the smoke of great 

 towns, it is, by reason of its graceful branch and 

 twig formation, one of the best of our park trees. 

 Unfortunately, however, it is apt to have its 

 large branches and heavy limbs crack and fall 

 without warning on hot, still days in summer ; 

 and this can only be prevented by a species of 

 mutilation, such as is to be noticed in all the 

 parks of London. A periodical cry goes forth 

 in certain newspapers 'against this so-called ' van- 

 dalism ' on the part of the officers in charge of 

 the Royal parks ; but it is probably only through 

 their careful and considerate action in carrying 

 out toppings and loppings, though never wantonly 

 and unnecessarily as is often represented, that so 

 very, very few accidents have hitherto occurred 

 in our much-frequented pleasure-grounds of the 

 metropolis. ^^ 



As elm has so much in common with ash, 

 maple, &c., when grown as part of a woodland 

 crop, its treatment under such circumstances can 

 best take place as subsequently described for 

 these other trees all grouped together. 



