II. 2. THE BEECH. 161 



of what Evelyn says here, as to the excellence of beech leaves 

 for mattresses. We used always to think that the most luxu- 

 rious and refreshing bed was that which prevails universally 

 in Italy, and which consists of an absolute pile of mattresses 

 filled with the elastic spathe of the Indian corn ; which beds 

 have the advantage of being soft, as well as elastic ; and we 

 have always found the sleep enjoyed on them to be peculiarly 

 sound and restorative. But the beds made of beech leaves 

 are really no whit behind them in these qualities, whilst the 

 fragrant smell of green tea, which the leaves retain, is most 

 gratifying. The objection to them is the slight crackling noise 

 which the leaves occasion, as the individual turns in bed ; but 

 this is no inconvenience at all, or, if so in any degree, it is an 

 inconvenience which is much overbalanced by the advantages 

 of this most luxuriant couch." 



The white beech grows in every part of Massachusetts, but 

 it is only in the forests of the western part, that it attains its 

 greatest height. It is there sometimes not less than one hun- 

 dred feet high. 



It flourishes best in a rocky, moist soil, and where this is rich, 

 it grows with great rapidity, sometimes increasing two-thirds of 

 an inch in diameter in a single year. 



The wood is hard, of a fine, smooth, close grain, and very 

 dense, having a specific gravity of .724. It is excellent for 

 the turner's use, and fine large bowls, trenchers, and trays are 

 made of it. In the northern part of the country, it is much 

 used as fuel, and ranks next to rock maple. 



It is preferred to all other woods for the making of plane 

 stocks ; and for this purpose, the wood which has grown most 

 rapidly is found not only to have the smoothest and closest 

 grain, but to be most durable, and least liable to warp. Plane 

 stocks are, therefore, usually made of the outer, white, or sap 

 wood, the heart, or red, being less tough. 



It is also used for chair posts, of which great numbers are 

 made of it, in Becket and the neighboring towns. It is used 

 for saw handles, and for bodies of carts, it answers well for lasts, 

 and is preferred for the cylinders used in polishing glass. 



It is a valuable wood for fuel, comparing with hickory, accord - 

 22 



