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THE planter's GUIDE. 



whole foliage."* But Gilpin is prejudiced against this 

 tree, as well as the Beech, and speaks merely as a painter; 

 by the rules of whose art, delightful as it is, the judicious 

 planter must not at all times be governed. 



Of all the trees with which we are acquainted, the 

 Horse-Chestnut, perhaps, may be said to transplant with 

 the greatest facility. From the disposition to multiply 

 which, on being cut, its roots and fibres display, there 

 is none that may be better prepared for the purpose. 

 Ignorance and unskilfalness may throw it back ; but 

 scarcely any degree of ill usage will kill it outright in the 

 process of removal. Miller says that, in transplantation, 

 neither the roots nor the branches should be cut ; for that 

 there is scarcely any tree that will not bear amputation 

 better. In respect to the roots, I can only say that I 

 never experience any such delicacy, and that they bear 

 preparation fully as well as those of the Lime or the Ash. 



In respect to the wood, it is of small value. For 

 making underground pipes for the conveyance of water, it 

 will stand better than many harder woods ; and in some 

 of the northern counties of England it is found useful to 

 the turner. According to Hanbury, swine will fatten on 

 the nuts. Upon estates which are under the fetters of a 

 strict Scottish entail, I should recommend the Horse- 

 Ohestnut to be especially cultivated as an ornament to 

 the park, for no extravagant heir will ever cut it down 

 for the value of the timber. 



It is an estimable property in this tree, that its roots 

 are of a very hardy nature, and not easily injured by 

 drought ; also, that it can be removed at almost any 

 season, from the fall till the coming out of the leaves. As 

 to the roots, the severest frost will scarcely hurt them ; 

 and I have found large trees succeed admirably in trans- 



* Forest Scenery, vol. i, p. 64. 



