445 
This tree does not seem to have been so common even at the beginning of the present century 
as it is now. Mr. Houghton (1700) mentions some at Sir William Ashhurst’s at Highgate, and 
especially at the Bishop of London’s at Fulham. Those now standing at Chelsea-college were then 
very young. There was also a very fine one in the Post-house garden near Old Street, and another 
not far from the Ice-house under the shadow of the Observatory in Greenwich Park.* 
Species 2. Yellow-flowered Horse-chesnut. (TEsculus Flava.) 
Native of North Carolina, and was cultivated by Mr. John Greening. It flowers in May 
and June. 
Species 3. Scarlet Horse-chesnut. (iEscuLtis Pavia.) 
It rises to the height of twenty-feet, but does not spread its branches to any great extent. The 
bark is smooth. The leaves are of a light green, opposite, and on long red petioles. The flowers 
are produced from the ends of the branches, upon long naked peduncles, each sustaining four or 
five flowers; these are much smaller than in the common sort; wholly red, tubulous without any 
borders, opening a little at the top, where the stamens appear, seven or eight in number. They 
appear in June, and are sometimes succeeded by fruit in England; but the seeds rarely ripen 
here.j* It grows naturally in Brazil, Carolina, Florida, Japan, and several parts of the East; and 
was cultivated here in 1712.$ * 
CULTURE. 
The Common Horse-chesnut is propagated by sowing the nuts; the best time for doing this is 
early in the spring; but the nuts should be preserved in sand during the winter, otherwise they are 
apt to grow mouldy and rot. They may indeed be put into the ground in autumn, but then they 
will be in danger of rotting, if the winter should prove very wet, as also of being disturbed and 
eaten by vermin. Others however affirm, that if they are kept till spring, many will miscarry. 
When the nuts succeed, and have a proper soil, the plants will shoot near a foot the first sum¬ 
mer; so that where they grow pretty close together, it will be proper to transplant them the follow¬ 
ing autumn, or February and March,§ planting them in rows at three feet distance, and one foot 
asunder in the rows: in this nursery they may remain two years, by which time they will be fit to 
plant where they are designed to be continued; for the younger these trees are planted out, the 
larger they will grow. But there are many who will object to their being planted out young in 
parks, because they will require a fence to secure them against cattle; which will also be necessary 
whatever size they are when planted; and if large, they must be well staked to prevent their being 
displaced by strong winds: and when we consider how much faster a young tree will grow than 
one which is removed at a greater age, there can be no excuse for planting large trees. 
The Horse-chesnut requires little care in the management, is never injured by cold in our cli¬ 
mate, and will thrive in most soils and situations: but in a sandy loam it makes the greatest progress; 
and if the soil be inclining to moisture, the leaves will continue in verdure much longer than in very 
dry ground. 
When these trees are transplanted, their roots should be preserved as entire as possible, for they 
do not succeed well when tom or cut; nor should any of the branches be shortened, for there is 
* Collect. 3. 85. + Mill $ Hort. Kew, § Boutcher. 
5 U 
