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Cultivation of Ash. 



sylvicultural characteristics and requirements of the Ash,, 

 when grown on strictly economic principles and not chiefly 

 for ornamental purposes. Northampton and Leicester are 

 more particularly suitable for Ash-growing, as their produce 

 ranks first in quality and has long obtained the highest 

 market rate. 



From its spontaneous distribution throughout Scandinavia 

 and thence southwards to the shores of the Mediterranean, 

 the Ash proves itself to be a tree capable of enduring both 

 the extreme cold of a northern winter and the great summer 

 heat of southern Europe. But, at the same time, it is decidedly 

 sensitive to late frosts in spring throughout low-lying, moist 

 localities, and here even requires nurses to protect it while 

 young. The shoot within the terminal bud is apt to get 

 nipped with frost, while the shoots in the two side-buds 

 opening later are spared. The result of this is that the Ash has 

 a much stronger tendency to forked growth than is character- 

 i stic of any other of our forest trees. When planted on 

 fresh, breezy uplands, however, its lateness in bursting into 

 leaf usually affords a fair protection against spring frosts. 

 When once clear of the clanger from frost it soon shoots up 

 in growth. The energy of growth in height continues lively 

 up to about the 40th or 50th year, and in the following twenty 

 years it develops considerable increment in girth. It often 

 reaches maturity between the age of 60 to 80 years ; and after 

 this is attained, it is no longer economical to allow trees to 

 stand. When grown in the close canopy of mixed timber 

 crops, and not in anymore isolated position, its financial 

 maturity is not infrequently delayed until between the age 

 o f 80 to 1 00 years. 



The leading sylvicultural characteristics of the Ash are its 

 inherent demand for light and air, often coupled with 

 inability to endure shade, and its heavy requirements in 

 respect of mineral strength and of moisture in the soil. On 

 the whole, it must be considered one of the most exacting of 

 our forest trees. To attain its best development it should, if 

 possible, bo planted on a fresh, deep, light, loamy soil. On 

 delight sand, or stiff, heavy clay it not only develops 

 indifferently, but also soon begins to show signs of pre- 



