142 
NATURE NOTES. 
various stages of disease — putting out a yearly diminishing 
number of leaves, indeed, but utterly incapable of vigorous 
growth. l\Iany have broken loose from their fastenings, have 
been tossed about by every wind for days and even weeks, no 
one attending to them, and have beaten themselves to death 
against the iron railings which are supposed to protect them. 
Others have been so tightly bound to their stakes that the cir- 
culation of the sap has been prevented ; hence the hideous 
gnarled, distorted wrecks which are to be met with on every 
side. Some have been broken off, and present the ludicrous 
appearance of broomsticks carefully protected by tree-guards. 
Of the trees that grow and thrive, in spite of neglect, a large 
number are of various kinds — poplars, birches, and the like — 
although the contract with the Vestry specifies the plane as the 
only tree to be planted. 
The blame for this state of things rests entirely wth the 
V'estry. Some few years since an attempt was made to bring 
about a better state of things. One of our best authorities on 
tree-growth was consulted unofficially, and submitted an ex- 
haustive report, showing exactly what was needed ; a “ tree 
committee” was appointed — and there the matter stopped. 
Certain reactionaries on the Vestry opposed all attempts at 
improvement, and the result is the disgraceful state of affairs 
which prfevails at the present moment. Any one who will take 
the trouble to walk down either of the roads mentioned will 
see that we have understated the case ; and the condition of 
the trees may be compared with the by no means perfect but 
very superior condition of those under the management of the 
adjoining Vestry of Newington. Attention has been called to the 
matter more than once in the gardening press and elsewhere, 
but the St. George’s Vestry shows no sign of moving, and its 
trees remain a standing disgrace to that body. 
So much for our roads ; let us turn to other examples of how 
not to do it. A disgraceful instance of disfigurement is that of 
the churchyard of St. l\Iary-le-Strand. Until last year the 
avenue of planes leading up to Wren’s beautiful building was 
one of the most charming objects in London, its position at the 
end of the great thoroughfare rendering it singularly effective. 
On the occasion of the royal wedding last year, the churchyard 
was occupied with tiers of seats, and the beautiful trees were 
“ butchered to make a London holiday.’’ We saw them after 
the seats were removed — a sight to move to tears ! Look at 
them now — a permanent disfigurement to the Strand, for they 
will never regain their beauty of form — and estimate, if you can, 
at their true value, the gain to the individuals who let the seats, 
and the loss to the community. 
The Report of the Metropolitan Gardens Association, to which 
we have already referred, shows a good record of work for its 
eleven years’ existence. Nearly three hundred items of work are 
recorded as having been executed, and fifty more are under 
