102 BASHING THE WALNUT-TREE. 



not able, from knowledge, to give an opinion 

 upon the subject ; but, I think it possible, that 

 the removal, by beating, of the shoots on which 

 the fruit of the year hangs, may cause the pro- 

 duction of others, which might otherwise not 

 be supplied at all." 



A most laborious and dangerous employ- 

 ment it is," said Mr. Longhurst, to stand on 

 ladders fifty rounds high, and sway long poles 

 backwards and forwards at arm's-length ; and 

 this for hours together. I should forget the 

 taste of walnuts, if I were to eat none until I 

 had procured myself a bushel in this way. 

 Chestnuts, I believe, are not deemed worth 

 this trouble." 



Sweet chestnuts," I replied, are often 

 suffered to descend of themselves, and are 

 gathered from the ground daily as they fall ; 

 but where the crop of a tree is destined for 



