160 



A DISCOURSE 



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5. The Chestnut is, next the Oak, one of the most sought after by the 

 carpenter and joiner. It hath formerly built a good part of our ancient 

 houses in the city of London, as does yet appear. I had once a very 

 large barn near the city, framed entirely of this timber ; and certainly 

 the trees grew not far off, probably in some woods near the town : for, 

 in that description of London, written by Fitz-Stephens, in the reign 

 of Henry II. he speaks of a very noble and large forest which grew 

 on the boreal part of it ; Proxime, says he, jpatet foresta ingens, saltus 

 nemorosiferaruvi, latehrce cervorum, damarum, aprorum, et taurorum 

 sylvestrhm, 8sf. A very goodly thing it seems, and as well stored with 

 all sorts of good timber as with venison and all kind of chase ; and yet 

 some will not allow the Chestnut to be a freeborn of this Island, but 



be considered that it shoots out proportionably earlier in the spring, which, together with 

 its beautiful flowers, makes it an ornamental and desirable tree. 



This tree is extremely well adapted to parks ; not only because it grows to a large size, 

 and forms a beautiful regular head, but on account of the quantity of nuts it produces, 

 wliich are excellent food for deer in the rutting season : So that in parks where great 

 numbers of deer are kept, I would recommend these trees to be planted in abundance. 

 They are likewise very proper for the boundaries of open fields, to terminate views, &c. 

 and though there are no deer to eat the nuts, yet the swine are equally delighted with 

 them, and will fatten greatly with such provender. 



The buds of this tree, before they shoot out leaves, become turgid and large ; so that 

 they have a good effect to the eye, by their bold appearance, long before the leaves 

 appear : And what is peculiar to the Horse-Chestnut is, that as soon as the leading shoot 

 is come out of the bud, it continues to grow so fast, as to be able to form its whole 

 summer's shoot in about three weeks or a month. After this it grows little more 

 in length, but thickens, and becomes strong and woody, and forms the buds for the next 

 year's shoot. The flowers are in full blow about the- twelfth of May, and on fine trees 

 make a noble appearance. 



This tree is propagated from the nut; In autumn, therefore, when the nuts fall, 

 a sufficient quantity should be gathered. Some people recommend them to be sown 

 immediately in drills ; but others with more propriety, delay the sowing till the spring, 

 by which means they will escape the ravages of the field-mouse. Previous to sowing, they 

 should be thrown into water, as directed in page 46, which will secure to the planter tlie 

 certainty of a crop. 



In the spring the plants will come up ; and when they have stood one year they may 

 be taken up, their tap-roots shortened, and afterwards planted in the nursery, and 

 managed in the same manner as was directed for the Spanish Chestnut. 



When they are of sufficient size to be planted out for good, they must be taken out 

 of the nursery with care ; let the great side-shoots and the bruised parts of the roots 

 be taken off, and when planted out, let the holes be large, taking care that the top of the 



