NIGHTINGALE ROAD 



of April, which is, I think, some weeks before they 

 begin in other localities. In one ditch beside the 

 road (not in this particular hedge) there grows a 

 fine bunch of reeds. Though watery, on account 

 of the artificial drains from the arable fields, the 

 spot is on much higher ground than the brook, 

 and it is a little singular that while reeds flourish 

 in this place they are not to be found by the brook. 



The elms of the neighbourhood, wherever they 

 can be utilised as posts, are unmercifully wired, 

 wires twisted round, holes bored and the ends of 

 wire driven in or staples inserted, and the same 

 with the young oaks. Many trees are much dis- 

 figured from this cause, the bark is worn off on 

 many ; and others, which have recovered, have 

 bulging rings, where it swelled up over the iron. 

 The heads of large nails and staples are easily dis- 

 covered where the wire has disappeared, sometimes 

 three or four, one above the other, in the same tree. 

 A fine avenue of elms which shades part of a 

 suburb appears to be dying by degrees the too 

 common fate of elms in such places. 



How many beautiful trees have thus perished 

 near London ? witness the large elms that once 

 stood in Jews' Walk, at Sydenham. Barking the 

 trunks for sheer wanton mischief is undoubtedly 

 the cause in some cases, and it has been suggested 

 that quicksilver has occasionally been inserted in 

 57 



