220 The Chestnut. 



American chestnut is a variety of the same species that is culti- 

 vated in Europe. 



(12G. Queretis agrifolia. — Leaves and Fruit one-half Natural 

 Size. [See page 219.] 



869. The chestnut in Massachusetts forms one of the largest of 

 the native forest trees, growing sometimes in the southwestern part 

 of the state to the height of ninety or a hundred feet. It extends 

 into the southern edge of Maine, but scarcely beyond the 44th de- 

 gree of latitude, nor does it generally thrive near the sea. 



870. The chestnut is early to feel the warmth of spring, and some- 

 times suffers from late spring frosts. For this reason, it is least apt 

 to suffer on a northern or north-eastern slope. It requires a light, 

 silecious soil, if deep and substantial, and especially prefers that 

 formed by the decomposition of granite, gneiss, mica-slate, or sand- 

 stone. Upon granitic gravel and volcanic scoriae it jjives the most 

 abundant products. It is useless to plant it upon calcareous soils, 

 nor does it prosper upon clays, or in marshy and uudrained situations. 

 It prefers hills and mountains of moderate height, and succeeds much 

 better there than upon plains. 



871. For cultivation as a timber-tree, it should be planted upon 

 gravelly hills, and generally where it is to remain. The young 

 plants are robust from the first, and do not prosper in the shade. 

 They are more apt to suffer from frost than the oak. The roots are 

 generally abundant, and strike deep into the soil, but not as deep 

 as the oak. The growth is rapid, and sustained till sixty or seventy 



