FOREST TREES. 417 



of Bedford grows at Woburn Abbey above 350 different kinds. The 

 propagation of the willow by cuttings, and even of some species by 

 inserting large branches in the ground, is particularly easy. 



Another notable river tree is the Alder {Ahus glutinosa, fig. 942). 

 It grows in- the water, or on the banks beside the water in boggy 

 places ; and some writers go so far as to 

 declare that it has a tendency to create a 

 swampy place. We use the alder freely 

 beside the water to hide the buildings of the 

 paper-mill, and in the adjoining park there 

 are some fine single trees of picturesque 

 appearance. We have also very fine speci- 

 mens of the Cut-leaved Alder. 



The common Ash {Fraxinus excelsior^ 

 grows so freely in my ground, that it must 



be considered a weed and a nuisance, as seedlings continually come 

 up where they are not wanted, and, if not removed, grow so rapidly 

 as to stifle the surrounding shrubs. The ash is distinguished by the 

 bold and rugged outline of its branches ; it is an imposing tree as 

 we see it in the valleys of Scotland. There is a weeping variety, which 

 is very useful to make an artificial covering. We have one on the 

 croquet-ground, with a seat underneath ; and close to Wallington Bridge 

 we have another, which forms a dark^ bower to protect us from the 

 fierce rays of the sun in the summer months. At the Zoological Gardens 

 of London the weeping ash is judiciously used to protect the visitors 

 at the entrance, and also the animals in the interior of the grounds. 

 It grows rapidly in good soil, but slowly in a dry place, and there 

 requires manure to develop it quickly. 



Virgil, contrasting it with other trees, says of the ash :— 



" Fraxinus in silvis pulcherrima, pinus in hortis, 

 Populus in fluviis, abies in montibus altis." 



One of the greatest ornaments of mountain scenery, the M ountain 

 Ash {Pyrus Auciiparid), is of a different genus from the common ash" 



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