OF FOREST-TREES. 



241 



o'ated of truncheons, and will come of seeds (for so they raise them CH. XIX. 

 in Flanders, and make wonderful profit of the plantations) like the 

 Poplar ; or of roots (which I prefer) being set as big as the small of one's 

 leg, and in length about two feet, whereof one should be plunged in the 

 mud. This profound fixing of aquatic trees is recommended to preserve 

 them steady, and safe from the concussions of the winds and violence of 



After the truncheons are planted, the weeds should be kept down till the plants are shot 

 out of their reach ; and after every fall, in the following winter, the stools ought to be 

 looked over, and all the weak side-branches taken off. This will strengthen those which 

 are already the strongest, and will enable them to shoot up more vigorously for poles. 



Alders planted by the sides of rivers, brooks, &:c. may be cut every eight or ten years, 

 which will produce good profit, as well as keep the river in its proper channel. 



The Alder-tree will grow to the height of about thirty-five or forty feet, and its timber 

 is very valuable for works intended to lie constantly under water, where it will harden, 

 and last for ages. It is said to have been used under the Rialto at Venice ; and we are 

 told by Vitruvius, that the morasses about Ravenna were piled with this timber, in order 

 to lay the foundation for building upon. 



This tree admits of some varieties which are sought after for curious collections ; such 

 as, — 1. The long-leaved American Alder; 2. The White Alder; 3. The Black Alder; 

 4. The Hoary-leaved Alder; 5. The Dwarf Alder. This last grows upon bogs, and 

 is with difficulty preserved in gardens, unless the soil be natui-ally moist and wet. The 

 others have names assigned them from the different colours of the leaves and bark, except 

 the first sort, which receives its title from the length of its leaves. This beautiful variety 

 grows to about thirty feet in height, and merits a place in the choicest collections. It may 

 be propagated by layers or cuttings. The branches are slender, smooth, numerous, and 

 of a dark-brown or purple colour. The leaves are long, and free from that clammy, 

 or glutinous matter, which is peculiar to those of the common Alder. They are smooth, 

 oval, spear-shaped, and indented, which gives the tree an air of freedom in its luxuriant 

 state. I have seen the leaves as late as December, at which time the tree has the 

 appearance of an evergreen. 



From the experience of ages, the Alder is found to resist all impressions made upon 

 it by water, which single consideration ought to induce us to increase our plantations 

 of this tree. In Flanders, and in Holland, it is raised in abundance for the purpose 

 of making piles for the support of buildings erected in moist and boggy places. " Alnus 

 autem, quae proxime fluminum ripis procreatur, et minime materies utilis videtur, habet 



in se egregias rationes : etenim — in palustribus locis infra fundamenta tedificiorum, 



palationibus crebre fixa, recipiens in se quod minus habet in corpore liquoris, permanet 

 imraortalis ad aeternitatem, et sustinet immania pondera structurse, et sine vitiis con- 

 servat." — Vitruv. lib. ii. 



The Alder produces a kind of cone which contains thfe seed. In some places abroad, 

 this tree is raised from seed ; and f am told that Mr. Stephens, of Camerton, near Bath, 

 raises them in that manner with great success. 



V olume I. P P 



