THE OTHER HARDWOODS _ 171 
heat-producing power as fuel. Chalk lands do 
not suit it well, while its best dimensions are 
attained on stiff clayey soils, or moist loamy sands 
and marshy lands. Dry shallow soil and a warm 
exposure are not favourable to its growth asa 
tree, although it still coppices freely there. 
Shade-bearing like the beech, and hardy against 
frosts, it may sometimes be of use for under- 
planting in places that are too moist for that 
tree, or for good growth of the more profitable 
maple, sycamore, ash, hazel, and the like. Deep 
stubbing in coppice-woods makes hornbeam throw 
out stoles as well as stool-shoots. As it reproduces 
itself freely as underwood, it may often be of use 
in filling up blanks in frost-holes where nothing 
more profitable can be made to grow. 
The Robinia is deserving of more attention 
than it has yet received as a timber tree. Rapid 
in growth, and hardy in most parts of Britain, it 
produces a good, heavy, hard wood, durable for 
both outdoor and indoor work. Tough and 
elastic, it is specially suitable for wooden pins in 
deck planking and similar uses. It is easy to 
work, but much handling of it is apt to cause 
sores occasionally, owing to some irritant secre- 
