The Chestnut. 221 



years of age, but it continues to live and grow to more than twice 

 this period, and under favorable circumstances it sometimes lives to 

 an immense age. 1 



872. Of our native forest trees, there are few that show a greater 

 tendency to grow from the sprouts than the chestnut, and on rocky 

 and broken grounds, where this tree will flourish best, there is no 

 crop that under favorable circumstances and proper protection will 

 pay so good a profit upon the laud. 



873. It is remarked by the highest authorities upon forestry, that 

 " chestnut stumps have a remarkable durability, and that the 

 sprouts they send up afford a growth both vigorous and rapid. It 

 is especially in vine countries that coppices of this wood are found 

 most profitable, from the hoops they furnish for casks and props for 

 the vines." 2 It is not advisable to reserve trees for large growth in 

 a chestnut coppice, as is done with great advantage in the oak, be- 

 cause the shade would do more harm to the young growth than the 

 air and light would benefit the reserves. 



874. The trees, when ten or fifteen years old, will begin to bear 

 fruit, and thus assist in re-stocking. It would be advisable to re- 

 serve a few trees around the borders of the tract to secure some 

 timber of larger growth, and increase the chestnut harvest. 



875. Chestnut " sprout lauds" must of course be kept inclosed 

 against sheep, horses, and cattle at all seasons, for although they 

 may be cut off at one time, there will still be sprouts of small size, 

 and these will be needed for re-stocking the ground. The same 

 objection would not exist against the admission of swine, which in 

 fruitful seasons would thrive and fatten without injury to the trees. 



876. Where a chestnut grove is to be started in Europe, it is 

 recommended to set the young trees from nurseries, when about 

 three years old, at distances of two or three yards apart, cultivat- 

 ing the ground between as long as it can be conveniently done with 

 potatoes or grain. When the trees have grown to two or three 

 inches in diameter, they carefully cut them off close to the ground, 



1 A chestnut tree (or pirhaps a group of trees) formerly stood upon Mt. 

 Etna, more than fifty yards in circumference. It was hollow, and must 

 have been some 2,000 .years old. It was called " castagno di cento cavalli." 

 It appears from an account published in 1865, that this remarkable tree no 

 longer exists." (Recue des Deux Mondes, Juh% 1, 1865.) 



2 Lorentz and Parade Culture des Bois. 



