U2 



THE ASH. 



side of it. Two shoots spring out opposite to 

 each other, and each pair in a contrary direction. 

 Rarely, however, both the shoots of either side 

 come to maturity ; one of them is commonly lost 

 as the tree increases, or at least makes no appear- 

 ance in comparison with the other, which takes 

 the lead. So that notwithstanding this natural 

 regularity of growth, so injurious to the beauty 

 of the Spruce-fir, and some other trees, the Ash 

 never contracts the least disgusting formality from 

 it. It may even secure great picturesque beauty, 

 for sometimes the whole branch is lost as far as 

 one of the lateral shoots, and this occasions a kind 

 of rectangular jimction, which forms a beautiful 

 contrast with the other spray, and gives an ele- 

 gant mode of hanging to the tree. 



" This points out another difference between 

 the spray of the Oak and that of the Ash. The 

 spray of the Oak seldom shoots out from the 

 under sides of the larger branches ; and it is this, 

 together with the strength and firmness of the 

 branches, which keeps them in a horizontal form. 

 But the spray of the Ash as often breaks out on 

 the under side as in the upper ; and being of a 

 texture weaker than that of the Oak, it generally, 

 as the bough increases, depends upon the larger 

 branch, and rising again, forms, in full-grown 

 trees especially, very elegant, pendent boughs." 



This description is so very accurate and truth- 

 ful, that the reader, if he is at all conversant with 

 woodland scenery, can scarcely fail to recognise 

 the portrait. 



When the Ash has attained a considerable size, 

 the spray assumes in early spring, an appearance 

 very different from that which characterised the 



