152 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



the interior, becoming separated so as to have the appearance 

 of being the remains of several distinct trees, is frequently met 

 with in the case of very old mulberry trees in Great Britain, and 

 olive trees in Italy, Kircher, about a century before Brydone, 

 affirms that an entire flock of sheep might be enclosed within 

 the Etna chestnut, as in a fold.* {Arboretum Brit. p. 1988.) 

 In considering the chestnut as highly adapted to ornament 

 the grounds of extensive country residences, much that we 

 have already said of the oak will apply to this tree. When 

 young, its smooth stem, clean and bright foliage, and lively 

 aspect, when adorned with the numerous light greenish yel- 

 low blossoms which project beyond the mass of leaves, render 

 it a pleasing and beautiful tree. It has long been a favourite 

 with the poets, for its grateful shade ; and as the roots run 

 deep, the soil beneath it is sufficiently rich and sheltered to 

 aflford an asylum for the minutest beauties of the woods. 

 Tennyson sweetly says : — 



" That slope beneath the chestnut tall 

 Is wooed with choicest breaths of air, 

 Methinks that I could tell you all 

 The cowslips and the king cups there." 



When old, its huge trunk, wide-spread branches, lofty head, 

 and irregular outline, all contribute to render it a picturesque 

 tree of the very first class. In that state, when standing 

 alone, with free room to develope itself on every side, like 



* One of the most celebrated Chestnut trees on record, is that called the 

 Tortworth Chestnut, in England. In 1772, Lord Ducie, the owner, had a por- 

 trait of it taken, which was accompanied by the following description : " The 

 east view of the ancient Chestnut tree at Tortworth, in the county of Glouces- 

 ter, which measures nineteen yards in circumference, and is mentioned by Sir 

 Robert Aikins in his history of that county, as a famous tree in King John's 

 reign ; and by Mr. Evelyn in his Sylva, to have been so remarkable in the 

 reign of King Stephen, 1135, as then to be called the great Chestnut of Tort- 

 worth ; from which, it may reasonably be presumed to have been standing before 

 the conquest, 1066." This tree is still standing. 



