CHAPTER VIII 



THE STORY OF THE HORSE- 

 CHESTNUT 



IF A census of opinion were taken as to which is 

 the most handsome exotic flowering tree in 

 the eastern part of the United States there is little 

 doubt in my mind but that it would be overwhelm- 

 ingly in favour of the Horsechestnut. I n England also 

 the same would be true. For no other tree is a day 

 especially set apart in England as is Chestnut Sun- 

 day for this famous exotic. According to season 

 it is a rather movable feast but is usually between 

 May 19th and May 26th. From London and its 

 suburbs people journey in thousands to bask in the 

 glory of the avenue of Horsechestnut-trees in Bushy 

 Park on the banks of Father Thames. 



The width of the avenue is 170 feet and its length 

 about one mile. It was planted by the celebrated 

 architect, Sir Christopher Wren, in 1699. There 

 are one hundred and thirty-seven trees on each side 

 and they stand 42 feet apart in the line. A quarter 

 of a mile from the Hampton Court Palace end of the 



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