3 o LONDON TREES 



mation. For general use it produces one of our most 

 valuable timbers, which enters largely into chair- 

 making, framing for furniture, as also for rifle stocks, 

 saddle trees for heavy harness, wheel felloes, wedges, 

 wooden bowls, and toys. For hedge purposes where 

 shelter is required nothing equals the Beech. 



The Beech is usually propagated from seeds, which 

 may be collected as they fall from the trees during 

 October and November, and stored amongst dry sand 

 till wanted for sowing in spring. About 3700 seeds 

 or ' mast ' go to the pound weight. Soil of a light, 

 friable nature should be chosen for the seed-bed, and 

 thin sowing is recommended. The Purple or Copper- 

 coloured Beech, the Cut-leaved and other varieties, 

 are usually grafted on a stock of the common tree. 



T 



Birch 



(Betula alba) 



HOUGH unsuitable for cultivation in narrow 

 and confined streets, yet the Birch succeeds in 

 a fairly satisfactory way when planted in the more 

 open and airy parts of the Metropolis. Growing in 

 the grounds of Fulham Palace, as also at Chelsea, the 

 Birch is thriving well, and several trees may be seen 

 by the lake-side in Finsbury Park, with the typical 

 silvery bark and the healthiest of foliage. By the band- 

 stand in Hyde Park there is a healthy group of Birch 

 trees. 



In Springfield Park it looks healthy and happy, as 

 also in Lincoln's Inn Fields and throughout the central 

 parks generally. Other good specimens are growing 

 by the North gate in Regent's Park, at Hampstead, 



