8 APRIL 1911, Page 14

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Bra,—In your interesting article

on " The Destruction of Beauty," in the Spectator of March 25th last, you recommend the Eucalyptus Gunnii as a hardy and quick-growing tree for planting out. You also mention Essex as an instance of a locality where success has been achieved. I had some thoughts, after reading your aforesaid article, of experi. menting here in Bucks, on the Chiltern Hills, at a height of about 550 feet above sea level, but, in answer to my inquiries, received very discouraging letters from two leading nurserymen. The first, writing from the Thames Valley, stated that the trees, after withstanding several mild winters there, disappeared when a severe frost came. He added that though, he thought, grown successfully in the Channel Islands, even the nurserymen there do not offer it in their lists. The second wrote that be did not think I should be at all likely to be successful in forming a plantation in this district. Perhaps some of your correspondents can throw further light on the subject. —I am, Sir, &c., BOCLAND.

[Hundreds of Tasmanian hardy gums (Eucalyptus Gunnis) may be seen flourishing in plantations near Brightlingsea, in Essex. This part of the Essex coast is bitterly cold in winter. The trees thrive in unsheltered positions.—En. Spectator.]