FOREST-TREES FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. 



33 



period during which it carries its leafage is shorter than that of 

 most other trees, for it is the last to flower in the spring and 

 generally among the first to shed its leaves in the autumn. The 

 wood of the Ash is tough and pliant, though, as is well known, the 

 extremities of the branches and branchlets are brittle and snap 

 like sealing-wax. The character of its root-growth is peculiar, 

 and must be kept in mind. It throws out numerous fibrous roots, 

 which run along close to the surface of the soil, and so do not 

 exhaust it. It grows best in good, somewhat calcareous soil, and 

 is none the worse for tolerable nearness to adjoining water, 

 provided the soil is not in any way boggy or rendered marsh-like 

 in character. Ash in the earlier stages of its existence is of 

 exceptionally rapid growth — straight without lateral branchings 

 — and when, as in this year, severe frost follows an early forcing 

 spring, the destruction is correspondingly great, but with a 

 judicious use of the priming-knife, cutting back the blackened, 

 deadened top to its first uninjured eye, the second growth is so 

 rapid and so abundant that the frost scars cannot be traced, and 

 the wound of the knife is not even seen. 



Elms. — Elms may be classified under the two species, Ulmus 

 campestris (commonly called the English Elm, though it is 

 doubtful what claim it really has to this title) and Ulmus 

 montana (the Wych or Scotch Elm). The former is more 

 largely planted for ornamental purposes, the latter is generally 

 acknowledged as best for forest-tree planting. The Elm will 

 thrive upon almost any soil. The growth of the Elm may be 

 very rapid in certain situations, but its wood, under these condi- 

 tions, lacks the hardness and stability of that grown on heavier 

 land and more slowly. 



Sycamore. — In common with the Acers generally, the 

 Sycamore prefers a situation sheltered rather than exposed — a 

 deep loamy soil, rich rather than sterile, though it will do well in 

 light soil, not too dry, and not more than moderately damp. Its 

 growth is very rapid compared to most others of the Acers, 

 particularly when in a deep, free, rich soil and in a mild climate. 

 It does well also near the sea, and in this connection I ought 

 to mention the Norway Maple also. It is an excellent tree for 

 such a situation, and should be planted more extensively than is 

 the case at present. 



Beech. — On dry, chalky soils the Beech may well be planted 



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