368 THE MAGA7-INK OF HORTICULTURE. 



spiing out from the lower part oi' the trunk of the tree, giv- 

 ing it, as it were, two tiers of branches and foliage. In real 

 density of foliage it is surpassed by the rock maple, the lime, 

 and the chestnut. In beech woods, however, the depth of 

 the shade is very apparent, from wliatever cause it may arise. 

 It seems to me not remarkable in tlie standard trees ; and it 

 may be attributed in the deep woods to the kindliness with 

 which the branches of the ditferent trees interlace without 

 interfering with the growtli of the spray or the foliage. 



The habit of the beech to produce mosses and lichens upon 

 the surface of its trunk, has been noticed by the earliest wri- 

 ters : it is also a matter of common observation with those 

 \vho have made use of beech wood for fuel. This growth 

 of cryi^togamons plants is undoubtedly owing to the depth of 

 the shade and the moisture of the atmosphere, thus preserved 

 in the interior of a beech forest. This tree in autumn is not 

 remarkable for the tints assumed by its foliage ; it seldom has 

 any other tint than yellow, except as this yellow fades into 

 brown ; and the leaves are not equally tinted as in some of 

 the hickories and birches. The beech is found to flourish 

 best in a soil that is moist and rocky, but not of a barren na- 

 ture. It is rapid in its growth under these circumstances ; 

 but it is not a long lived tree; and individuals of a large size 

 are apt to be hollow t'rom the decay oi' the heartwood. If I 

 were to give directions with regard to the spots in which the 

 beech tree should be planted, both tor utility and ornament, 

 I would not select an ojien field or lawn, nor the enclosures 

 of the dwelling-house. It would be objectionable in either 

 place on account of its suckers, and, besides, it forms a very 

 beautit'ul copse, while it is but an inditferent park tree. I 

 would platit it on the crumbling banks oi' certain water 

 courses, where it would insert its roots into the fragile soil, 

 and prevent it from washing away or breaking down, by the 

 nuiltitude oi' its roots and suckers, and would crown the banks 

 and the hillside with a beautiful grove and an agreeable 

 shade. 



It is a general opinion that the beech tree is never struck 

 by lightning. If this be true it must be owing to some sii- 



