No. 199.] 127 



the height of 18 inches, the other is entirely distinct, from the ground 

 up-wards. There is no bark only on the outside of these divisions 

 until they reach the height of seven or eight feet, where they are 

 completely encircled with it, and form distinct limbs, with numerous 

 lateral branches, all of which appear in a perfectly sound and 

 healthy state. Two suckers have sprung up from the roots, one 

 on the north east, and the other on the south west side, each 10 or 12 

 feet in length; and I presume it is known that this tree has never been 

 grafted, but is natural fruit." 



No doubt the dilapidated condition of the trunk is owing in a mea- 

 sure to the want of care during the most part of the two first centuries 

 of its existence, being situated in an open field, without any protec- 

 tion, and often browsed by cattle and injured by storms. This 

 patriarch within the last forty years has often suffered from easterly 

 and southerly gales. In October, 1804, it was nearly prostrated, be- 

 ing shorn of all its branches, and its trunk split and divided in the 

 manner before spoken of. In the heavy gale of September, 1815, 

 it was again doomed to a similar fate; almost all its limbs at that time 

 were either split or broken, and it appeared doubtful for some time, 

 if it would ever recover; but such was the wonderful tenacity of life 

 that it rose again, phoenix like as it were, from its very ashes. At 

 this time the soil was loosened about its roots, and for the first time 

 probably since its introduction into this country ; there was a large 

 quantity of manure around it. About the year 1823 it was protected 

 by a fence, to prevent the cattle from injuring it. It continues to 

 produce fruit yearly, and the average quantity for several years past 

 has been about two bushels." 



With proper care and attention, this tree may yet continue many 

 years, and will serve to remind us, by its own trials, strength, vigor 

 and durability, of the enterprize, hardships, perseverance, and imtiring 

 aeal of our ancestors in the first settlement of this our cherished land; 

 and may we be permitted to encourage the hope that it may prove 

 the precursor of the durability of our present free and liberal institu- 

 tions." 



« Solent, Jfovember, 1837." 



