THE OTHER HARDWOODS 159 



plane (A. pseudoplatanus), and the common or 

 field maple (A. campestre), can be reckoned among 

 the trees of the woodland. But the last named 

 is only to be found in and above hedges or 

 here and there among the underwood in copses, 

 whereas the other two larger species not only 

 thrive in the undergrowth, . but form valuable 

 timber trees, especially when grown along with 

 beech in rather moist localities. 



In Evelyn's time maple and sycamore timbers 

 were in good repute. * The 'Timber (of Maple) 

 is far superiour to Beech for all uses of the Turner, 

 who seeks it for Dishes, Trays, 'Trenchers, &c., as 

 the Joyner for Tables, Inlay ings, and for the 

 delicateness of the grain when the knurs and 

 nodosities are rarely diapered, which does much 

 advance its price : Also for the lightness (under 

 the name Ayer) imploy'd often by those who 

 make Musical-instruments. But there is a larger 

 sort, which we call the Sycamor ... is excellent 

 for Cart and Plow-timber, being light, tough, 

 and not much inferior to Ash it self.' By the 

 end of last century, and far into the present one, 

 the fashion had changed ; for there is a fashion 

 in the use of different woods ; and it is not 



