122 NATURE NEAR LONDON. 



whether the best tree has been chosen. Under firs 

 the ground is generally dry, too dry for decay ; the 

 resinous emanations rather tend to preserve anything 

 that falls there. 



No underwood or plants and little grass grows 

 under them ; these, therefore, which make soil 

 quickest, are prevented from improving the earth. 

 The needles of firs lie for months without decay; 

 they are, too, very slender, and there are few 

 branches to fall. Beneath any other trees (such as 

 the edible chestnut and birch, which seem to grow 

 here), there are the autumn leaves to decay, the twigs 

 and branches which fall off, while grasses and plants 

 flourish, and brambles and underwood grow freely. 

 The earth remains moist, and all these soon cause an 

 increase of the fertility ; so that, unless fir tree timber 

 is very valuable, and I never heard that it was, I 

 would rather plant a waste with any other tree or 

 brushwood, provided, of course, it would grow. 



It is a pleasure to explore this little dell by the side 

 of the rising ground, creeping under green boughs 

 which brush the shoulders, after the empty space of 

 the firs. Within there is a pond, where lank horse- 

 tails grow thickly, rising from the water. Returning 

 to the rising ground I pursue the path, still under the 

 shadow of the firs. There is no end to them the 

 vast monotony has no visible limit. The brake fern 

 it is early in July has not yet reached its full 

 height, but what that will be is shown by these thick 

 stems which rise smooth and straight, fully three feet 

 to the first frond. 



A woodpecker calls, and the gleam of his green and 



