THE OTHER HARDWOODS 171 



heat-producing power as fuel. Chalk lands do 

 not suit it well, while its best dimensions are 

 attained on stiff clayey soils, or moist loamy sands 

 and marshy lands. Dry shallow soil and a warm 

 exposure are not favourable to its growth as a 

 tree, although it still coppices freely there. 

 Shade-bearing like the beech, and hardy against 

 frosts, it may sometimes be of use for under- 

 planting in places that are too moist for that 

 tree, or for good growth of the more profitable 

 maple, sycamore, ash, hazel, and the like. Deep 

 stubbing in coppice-woods makes hornbeam throw 

 out stoles as well as stool-shoots. As it reproduces 

 itself freely as underwood, it may often be of use 

 in filling up blanks in frost-holes where nothing 

 more profitable can be made to grow. 



The Robinia is deserving of more attention 

 than it has yet received as a timber tree. Rapid 

 in growth, and hardy in most parts of Britain, it 

 produces a good, heavy, hard wood, durable for 

 both outdoor and indoor work. Tough and 

 elastic, it is specially suitable for wooden pins in 

 deck planking and similar uses. It is easy to 

 work, but much handling of it is apt to cause 

 sores occasionally, owing to some irritant secre- 



