358 OUR WOUDLAND TREES, 
blossom will have learnt to appreciate the singular 
beauty of this handsome Tree. Its clusters of 
blossom produce a small proportion of fruit—small, 
that is to say, compared with the number of indivi- 
dual flowers. By the autumn, the fruit, enveloped 
in its green, prickly, three-celled case, has reached 
the form of roundish, polished, redish-coloured nuts, 
which are known from those of the Sweet Chest- 
nut by being less pointed. 
The soil which best suits the Horse-Chestnut 
is rich loam, in which it will grow rapidly; and a 
curious fact in connexion with this Tree is that its 
entire summer growth—in so far as length is con- 
cerned—is usually effected within a month from 
its commencement. Afterwards there is thick- 
ening and consolidation of its new substance, and 
then the period of annual decline commences: 
and though, in its decline, it does not add to the 
charm of autumnal colouring, we may well re- 
member the singular beauty of its ‘first fair 
blossoming.’ 
