150 



The Forest Trees of Wiltshire. 



to take them off again, and whon on they are rather of the thinest." 



Were there any individuals of the Pine and Fir tribes in this 

 country, of the same age as our oak, elm, ash or beech trees, there 

 is no doubt but that in bulk, if not in height, specimens would be 

 found in Wiltshire of very much larger proportions than any 

 that are known, or at any rate, generally known to exist in it. 

 Still there are some noble examples ; Larch, Silver, Scotch, and 

 Spruce, being found of large dimensions in many parts of this 

 county, as well as in the kingdom at large. To begin with the 

 Larch. This tree is not generally supposed to have been introduced 

 into this country much above 100 or 150 years ago, and therefore 

 it cannot be expected to have attained the size of oaks or other 

 trees which are in a manner native born to the soil, and many of 

 which have probably reached the age of 1000 or more years. But 

 for their age they have grown well, as the examples about to be 

 given show. Two of the most remarkable specimens known to 

 the writer, are now growing on the lawn in the garden at Nonsuch 

 House, in the parish of Bromham, near to Devizes. They are 

 said to be two of those first introduced into this country from the 

 Tyrol, and to have been brought over in pots. Some few others 

 were planted in different parts of this county ; but the greater 

 part of them were sent to Dunkeld in Scotland, to the Duke of 

 Athol, were planted there, and have thriven and multiplied to a 

 wonderful degree and extent. The soil at Bromham is generally, 

 a poor, red sand, and therefore it could hardly be expected that 

 these trees should have attained a great altitude ; besides, the spot 

 where they stand is very high, and exposed to all the winds that 

 blow, particularly to the cutting east winds that come sweeping 

 over Round way downs. Another of the same lot, — having some 

 fine Scotch firs near it, — was planted at Spye Park : it is a fine 

 picturesque tree, less in girth, but considerably taller than those 

 at Nonsuch, both of which are of the same height, — about sixty 

 feet. The Nonsuch trees stand close together, that is to say, not 

 above twenty feet apart, their branches interlacing and bringing 

 each within the embrace of the other, looking like loving twins. 

 They are well feathered. The trunk of each is clear of branches 



