iMK&S&S.
. The C U E SNU T\
1. C/ASTANEA, the CHESNUT. Of this Pliny reckons many kinds, ch. vmespecially about Tarentum and Naples ; but we commend those■of Portugal or Bayonne, choosing the largest, brownest, and mostponderous for fruit, such as Pliny calls Coctivae, but the lefser ones for
b Dr. Linnaeus has, with great botanical propriety, made the Chesnut a speciesof Fa.gus; but as Mr. Evelyn and others have considered them asseparate, I thinkI shall be more generally understood by retaining the old distinction.--The species are:
1. CASTANEA ( satiya ) foliis lanceolatis. acuminato-serratis, subtus nudis. Lin. Sp.PI. 1416. Chesnut with spear-shaped leaves, which are sharply saivcd, and naked on their under side.Castanea sativa. C. B. P. 418. The chesnut-tree.
This beautiful tree deserves to be ranked with timber-trees of the first clafs, whether wc con-sider its ornamental appearance when growing, or its uses when felled. The leaves, arelarge, of a pleasant green colour, and in the autumn turn to a golden yellow’; so thatin that declining season, amongst the different tinges in a wood, this is very conspicuous,and makes an agreeable contrast. If these trees are planted in large wilderr.efs quartersnext the walks, or in woods by the side of the ridings, and are left untrimmed, as they oughtto be, they will be feathered to the bottom, and not only make a beautiful appearance,but all the summer will hide those naked and crooked stems of other trees, in the plantationsand woods, which are always esteemed disagreeable objects. This tree was formerlycultivated in this island in greater quantities than at present; and appears to have beenthe chief timber, in earlier times, used for building. It were greatly to be wished, that theantient spirit of propagating the Chesnut could be revived, as the timber is excellentin its kind, being as valuable as the Oak , and in many respects superior to it.; like that kingof our woods, (for this title the Oak must still retain,) it yields the industrious planteran annual crop. The nuts of this tree are well liked by deer, and swine prefer them to theacorn. The uses of the timber of tills tree, like that-of the Oak, are almost universal.It is not only excellent for all sorts of buildings, but is also serviceable for mill-timber andwater-works; so that if pipes bored of this wood lie constantly under ground, they willendure longer than the Elm. Of the Chesnut are made tables, stools, chairs,, chests,and bedsteads. It is preferred for the making all sorts of tubs and vefsels to hold liquor,;and, in this respect, it is superior to Oak ; because, when once thoroughly seasoned, it is■not subject either to shrink or swell, but will constantly maintain.an equal magnitude of bulk.;and for this reason the Italians make their casks and tuns for wine of this wood. lorsmaller purposes it has its superior advantages: Poles of this tree, for hops, vines, &c. will last
Volume I. I) d