98 THE CHESTNUT. 



some comparison, the color and grain being much the 

 same; the oak is, however, tougher and heavier, 

 while the chestnut, in consequence of the evenness 

 and regularity of the fibre, possesses the peculiar 

 property of being easily split into long straight pieces. 

 Hence its great utility to the farmer for fencing. 



A close connection is also observable in many 

 of their habits. The chestnut delights in a high and 

 hilly soil, and grows freely in the same positions where 

 the chestnut-oak abounds. If a large tree of each be 

 cut down, strong scions will soon spring up in all 

 directions from the roots, forming bushy clumps, 

 which resemble each other so closely as to be readily 

 taken for the same tree. 



The chestnut also lives to a great age, and in some 

 situations grows to an enormous size. The famous 

 chestnut tree, which grew upon Mount Etna, was pro- 

 bably one of the largest and oldest trees in the world. 

 In 1770, this tree is said to have measured 204 feet 

 in circumference ; its trunk was quite hollow, and a 

 house had been built in the interior, which was in- 

 habited by some country people. The age of this tree 

 of course cannot be estimated with any certainty. 



The old chestnut tree at Tortworth, in England, 

 was probably planted by the Romans, as the tree is 

 not a native of that country. It was evidently old at 

 the time of the Norman Conquest, as history speaks 

 of it as a famous tree in the time of King John. It 

 measured 57 feet in circumference. 



The Beech, in some respects, resembles both the 

 Oak and the Chestnut; and was originally classed with 



