Mature IRotes : 
Zhe Selborne Society's flfoaoasme. 
No. 167. NOVEMBER, 1903. Vol. XIV. 
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
To preserve from unnecessary destruction such wild birds, 
animals and plants as are harmless, beautiful, or rare. To 
discourage the wearing and use for ornament of birds and their 
plumage, except when the birds are killed for food or reared 
for their plumage. To protect places and objects of antiquarian 
interest or natural beauty from ill-treatment or destruction. To 
promote the study of natural history. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Damage by Gale at Selborne. — We are sorry to learn, 
from the following extract from a letter, the irreparable damage 
done by the gale of September 10 at the Wakes 
“ I have just seen a friend of Mr. Pears who has been staying some days with 
him at the Wakes. He says that the oak tree and the ash tree planted by 
Gilbert White in 1731 in his orchard have been very much damaged by the 
hurricane of wind that we had [September io]. The ash is irretrievably destroyed 
and will have to be removed, but the oak by topping may be preserved. Several 
other trees are injured, but the beautiful wych elm is not much hurt.” 
Gilbert White, writing to Marsham in 1790, says : "In a 
humble way I have been an early planter myself. The time of 
planting, and growth of my trees are as follows: Oak in 1731, 
4 ft. 5 in. ; ash in 1731, 4 ft. 6J in. ; spruce fir in 1751, 5 ft. o in.” 
In his “ Naturalist’s Journal ” he gives the position of these 
trees : “ Oak by alcove, ash by ditto, great fir, Baker’s Hill.” — 
“ Life and Letters,” vol. ii p. 223. White was but eleven years 
old at the first date to which he here refers. 
An Appeal to the Humane. — Lovers of animals will learn 
with regret that Edith Carrington, for many years their champion 
