342 



THE planter's GUIDE, 



for mixed plantations, there is no tree that makes more 

 close or luxuriant underwood, for which purpose I have 

 used it with great effect at this place ; but for standards 

 it is less adapted, as, like the Ash, its shade is injurious 

 to other plants. 



I must own that the Chestnut, with me, is an especial 

 favourite : and, were I to name the tree which, for 

 grandeur and richness of effect, I should wish to see pre- 

 dominate, next the Oak, in a fine lawn or park, it would 

 certainly be the Chestnut. It is this noble tree that 

 graces the landscapes of Salvator Rosa. He took it in all 

 its forms on the mountains of Calabria, where he chiefly 

 painted ; and he has given a deserved share of reputation 

 to its grand and picturesque character. He who, either 

 as a painter or a planter, would become fully sensible of 

 its uncommon merit, must study it in the landscapes of 

 that great master. 



THE HOESE-CHESTNUT. 



This superb and showy tree {^scidus hippocastanum, 

 V. Castanea equina) is a native of the north of Asia, 

 from which country it was sent to Vienna, and from 

 thence to France, in 1558. About thirty years after, it 

 was first brought to England, but, according to Evelyn, 

 immediately from the Levant, and has now been com- 

 pletely naturalised to our colder climate. It has two 

 varieties — the variegated and the scarlet -flowering, 

 {j^sculus pavia,) which are extremely beautiful, but 

 more fitted for the shrubbery than the park.'''" 



The Horse-Chestnut appears to have been so named 

 from the resemblance of the nuts to those of the Chestnut, 



* Note VIH. 



