94 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



well as a fore-ground to clumps of firs, whose dark 

 tapering points are relieved by the early and soft green of 

 the Esculus, and their naked limbs are obscured by its 

 branches, which in return show their flowery spikes to 

 greater advantage by the contrast. 



Where unsightly buildings are to be hidden, or where 

 grounds are too much overlooked by public roads, this 

 tree by its rapid growth and ample foliage is preferable 

 to most others. Even when raised from the nut it has 

 frequently attained so considerable a height in twelve or 

 fourteen years as to form a complete screen, or to shade 

 by its branches a space sufficient for several chairs. The 

 horse-chesnut is only objectionable when planted too near 

 our dwellings or the walks of the shrubbery, as its leaves 

 fall early and are unsightly in the path. 



This tree does not appear to have been planted in Eng- 

 land in the time of Gerard, who, in 1597, says, " the 

 Horse-chesnut groweth in Italic and in sundry places 

 of the East countries." But in Johnson's edition of that 

 author, printed in 1633, we are told, "it is now growing 

 with Mr. Tradescant at South-Lambeth." 



Parkinson, in 1629, seems to have been unacquainted 

 with the tree : he says, " our Christian world had first the 

 knowledge of it from Constantinople." He places it as 

 a fruit-tree between the walnut and the mulberry, and 

 adds, " it is of a greater and more pleasant aspect, for 

 the fair leaves, but also of as good a use for the fruit, 

 which is of a sweet taste, roasted and eaten as the ordinary 

 sort." He also, like Gerard, describes and figures the 

 corolla with four petals. 



It appears to have been rare even as late as the year 

 1 700, as Mr. Houghton notices some at Sir William Ash- 

 hurst's, at Highgate, and at the Bishop of London's, at 

 Fulham. 



Those ,which now afford shade to the pensioners of 



