NURSERY AND PLANTING. 



93 



is very great, although few who are possessed of such trees 

 will be induced to fell them, unless under peculiar circum- 

 stances. 



The remains of considerable sized forests of holly are to be 

 seen in some parts of Aberdeenshire, on the banks of the 

 Dee, and also at Gordon Castle, in the adjoining county. 

 An interesting account of these trees is given by Mr. Sabine, 

 in the Horticultural Transactions, who was particularly struck 

 with their venerable and magnificent appearance. The timber 

 is as white as ivory ; it is often used as a substitute for 

 that article, in inlaying and veneering, and is in much request 

 by the makers of mathematical instruments and turners. The 

 well-known glutinous substance, bird-lime, is made from the 

 bark of this tree when fireed from the woody fibre 



Hornbeam. — {Carpinus Betulus.) 



This tree is also a native of Britain, and is found naturally 

 in a variety of soils and situations, and prospering in every 

 one which is capable of being planted. It is, however, far 

 less prevalent in our woods and plantations than almost any 

 other of our indigenous timber-trees ; and this circumstance 

 has been accounted for in the following manner: — In the early 

 years of horticultural improvements, hornbeam-hedges were 

 much in fashion, and nurserymen then propagated them from 

 layers, which was judicious enough for the purpose for which 

 they were then intended ; but from such layers, fine trees 

 never could be expected, and hence the majority of those which 

 were planted with a view to attain the size of timber-trees 

 continued meagre, straggling, deformed bushes, and few of 

 them ever attained any useful size. Miller reprobated this 

 mode of propagation, and since his time, the hornbeam has 

 been more generally originated from seeds, and now we find 

 fine specimens of trees of that age ; but as a forest-tree, it appears 

 to be still too much neglected. The general character of this 

 tree resembles that of the beech ; the timber is also very simi- 

 lar, and is applied to every purpose for which the beech is 

 used ; indeed, for millwright's work, it is considered su})erior. 

 As has been already observed, it is increased by seeds, which 



