98 OLEACE.E. 



stitution or habit of each individual tree, we believe, has 

 more to do with the nature of the timber than is generally 

 supposed or allowed. In cold and wet clays it never 

 attains a great size, but always appears stunted ; and 

 though it has been recommended for low swampy soils, we 

 are convinced it cannot be grown to profit in such situa- 

 tions, but will become diseased and unhealthy before it 

 has attained the age of twenty years. 



In glens and denes the Ash grows with great luxuriance, 

 particularly when its roots can reach the stream which 

 usually flows at their bottom ; and it is often in such situa- 

 tions we find the cleanest and longest stems of this tree. 



It is only in wet unsuitable soils that the Ash is 

 subject to disease ; and the canker appearing in black 

 spongy masses upon the stem and branches, at once points 

 out to the planter that his soil is not suitable, or at least 

 that to become so it requires to be thoroughly drained. 



In a living state, the stems and branches of the young 

 Ash are frequently infected and covered with a species 

 of C'hermes,* or scale insect, which, feeding upon the juices 

 of the trees, affects their health, and throws them into 

 a declining state ; this we have observed to prevail in 

 Ash plantations which, after having 

 been drawn up for several years, have 

 then been suddenly thinned and left too 

 much exposed. This chermes in shape 

 resembles one found upon the apple 

 tree, and another which infests the smaller willows, such 

 as Salix cinerea, &c, and it contains a deep purplish red 

 liquid, which probably might afford a valuable dye. In 



* Early in spring, on lifting the scales of the preceding year, each will be found 

 to cover from twenty to thirty large purplish red, somewhat kidney-shaped eggs, 

 or embryo young. These are hatched in April or May, and spread over the tree 

 in myriads. 



