THE ASH. 



139 



loss of its foliage, we see the Ash, in a sheltered 

 situation, ^Yhen the rains have been abundant and 

 the season mild, retain its green (a light pleasing 

 green) when the Oak and the Elm in its neigh- 

 bourhood have put on their autumnal attire/"* 



The precise time at which it sheds its leaves 

 varies much in different individuals, and this dif- 

 ference arises not only from situation, but from 

 other causes, for sometimes in the same hedge- 

 row many trees will have cast their foliage while 

 others show no symptom of decay. 



The shade of the Ash," says Evelyn, ^4s not 

 to be endured, because the leaves produce a nox- 

 ious insect : and for displaying themselves so very 

 late, and falling very early, not to be planted for 

 umbrage or ornament, especially near the garden, 

 since (besides their predatious roots) the leaves 

 dropping with so long a stalk, are di^a^™ by clus- 

 ters into the worm-holes, which foul the alleys 

 with their keys, and suddenly infect the ground." 

 For these reasons, landscape gardeners do not re- 

 commend the extensive plantation of the Ash in 

 localities where a permanent mass of foliage is de- 

 sired, nor in the vicirnty of mansions ; nevertheless 

 their crrowth may safelv be encouraD:ed bv the 

 banks of sweet and crystal rivers and streams," 

 according to Evelyn, their favourite haunts. 



As to the uses of the foliage, Phillips says : 

 " The Romans used the Ash-leaves for fodder, 

 which were esteemed better for cattle than those 

 of any other trees, the Elm excepted ; and they 

 were also used for the same purpose in this coun- 

 try, before agriculture was so well understood, and 

 our fields clothed with artificial grasses. In Queen 



^ Gilpin. 



