OF FOREST-TREES. 



153 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 The CHESTNUT \ 



1. C ASTANEA, the CHESTNUT. Of this Pliny reckons many kinds, cH. 

 especially about Tarentum and Naples ; but we commend those 

 of Portugal or Bayonne, choosing the largest, brownest^ and most 

 ponderous for fruit, such as Pliny calls Coctivse, but the lesser ones for 



Dr. LinriEEus has, with great botanical propriety, made the Chestnut a species 

 of Fagus; but as Mr. Evelyn and others have considered them as sepai-ate, I think 

 I shall be more generally understood by retaining the old distinction. — The species are : 



1. CASTANEA (sativa) foliis lanceolatis acuminato-serratis, subtus nudis. Lin, Sp. 

 PI. 1416. Chestnut with spear-shaped leaves, rvhich are sharply sarved, and naked on their 

 underside. Castanea sativa. C. B. P. 418. The chestnut tree. 



This beautiful tree deserves to be ranked with timber-trees of the first class, Avhether we con- 

 sider its ornamental appearance when growing, or its uses when felled. The leaves are 

 large, of a pleasant green colour, and in the autumn turn to a golden jellow; so that 

 in that declining season, amongst, the different tinges in a wood, this is very conspicuous, 

 and makes an agreeable contrast. If these trees are planted in large wilderness quarters 

 next the walks, or in woods by the side of the ridings, and are left untrimmed, as they ought 

 * to be, they will be feathered to the bottom, and not only make a beautiful appearance, 

 but all the summer will hide those naked and crooked stems of other trees, in the plantations 

 and woods, which are always esteemed disagreeable objects. '^I'his tree was formerly 

 cultivated in this island in greater quantities than at present ; and appears to have been 

 the chief timber, in earlier times, used for building. It were greatly to be wished, that the 

 ancient spirit of propagating the Chestnut could be revived, as the timber is excellent 

 in its kind, being as valuable as the Oak, and in many respects superior to it ; like that king 

 of our woods, (for this title the Oak must still retain,) it yields the industrious planter 

 an annual crop. The nuts are well liked by deer, and swine prefer them to the acorn. 

 The uses of the timber of this tree, like that of the Oak, are almost universal. It is 

 not only excellent for all sorts of building, but is also serviceable for mill-timber and 

 water-works ; so that if pipes bored of this wood lie constantly under ground, they will 

 endure longer than the Elm. Of the Chestnut are made tables, stools, chairs, chests, 

 and bedsteads. It is preferred for the making all sorts of tubs and vessels to hold liquor ; 

 and, in this respect, it is superior to Oak ; because, when once thoroughl;^ seasoned, it is 

 not subject either to shrink or swell, but will constantly maintain an equal magnitude of bulk ; 

 and for this reason the Italians make their casks and tuns for wine of this wood. For 

 smaller purposes it has its superior advantages : Poles of this tree, for hops, vines, &c. will last 

 Volume I. D d 



