292 THE CHESTNUT TREE. 
remaining two years in the lines, the plants are commonly 
from two to three feet high, which is the common size used 
for forest planting. Such plants are worth 40s. per thousand. 
If required of a larger size, it is necessary to transplant them 
every second year, increasing the space between the plants 
and between the lines; and any time during open weather 
between October and the middle of March is suitable for 
their removal. 
Many writers consider the chestnut a native of Britain ; we 
are not of this opinion; and although it is not very subject 
to disease, all who are accustomed to cultivate the plant will 
readily admit that, even in the earliest and most favourable 
districts. of our country, it is influenced by unfavourable 
seasons in a degree not felt by any tree indigenous to the 
climate of Britain. There are many varieties of the chestnut 
cultivated as ornamental and as fruit-bearing trees ; the most 
distinct sorts are C. Americana, which has broader leaves than 
the common tree; C. variegata, variegated with yellow and 
white streaks; C. glauca, C. glabra, and C. aspenifolia. The 
varieties cultivated in France for the sake of their fruit are 
termed les marrons ; they are large, farinaceous, and sweet ; 
and when roasted yield a rich aromatic odour. The seeds of 
the varieties cannot be depended on to produce the same, 
therefore the true kinds are propagated by grafting. 
