m.

[d] Many of these lost branches, and some were killed by frost in
1894-5. They cone freely, and young ones are growing from seed.

[e] A great many others about the same size, and all perfectly healthy.

[f] A beautiful tree quite distinct from the others; long, drooping
branches.

[g] About sixty trees growing in the grounds averaging 50 cubic feet.

[h] Age unknown, but probably not less than 150 years.

[i] Probably thirty-five to forty years of age.

[j] Two trees, recently taken out, measured 12 cubic feet and 14 cubic
feet.

[k] At ground this tree measures 29 feet.

[l] Inclined to go back.

[m] Will become a handsome tree. Coned last year. Some fertile.

[n] Very apt to lose its leader either by birds or wind. Coned last
year.

[o] Very old; possibly 500 years. Many others of the same age and size.

[p] Quite a different form from the others, the lower branches being
quite table-form.

CHAPTER XVII

CARE OF OLD TREES

The charm of many an estate is not the garden or the woodland, but the
monarchs that for years have weathered the winter storm and stand out as
noble specimens of their family. Often there are fine trees of rarer
species which their owners naturally wish to preserve from decay as long
as possible. Belonging to this class are numerous specimens scattered
over the country of American and other foreign trees that were amongst
the first of their kind to be introduced to Britain, such, for instance,
as the Tulip tree, the Robinia, and various oaks from America, the
Sophora from China, and various European trees. The trees may have some
historic associations, but whether this is so or not, when they begin to
decay efforts are made to save them from absolute death. Decay is
harmful and objectionable in park and garden, and we are not sure that
this matter of decay in trees has been so well considered as it might
be, as bearing upon the health of other trees and of mankind also. A
tree may be picturesque in decay, but we prefer it in health and beauty.
Experts are frequently asked for remedies to arrest decay in old trees.

The two principal causes of decay are starvation at the root and injury
by storms and disease. Such trees as the Beech and Horse Chestnut, that
root close to the surface of the soil--quite different from the Oak--may
often be invigorated by covering the ground with a few inches of good
soil or short manure. Artificial watering, during prolonged drought,