3U2 WOODY PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



merit, and must get all their nutriment from a distance on one 

 side, beyond a heavy wall. A differently constructed gutter, 

 allowing the water and drainings of the street to penetrate, 

 would doubtless quicken their growth. 



The noblest and most beautiful English elms in this vicinity 

 are found on the grounds of the country residence of Henry 

 Coclman, Esq., in Hoxbury. The largest stands by the princi- 

 pal gate in front. At three feet from the ground, it measures 

 seventeen feet and five inches ; at five feet, fifteen feet ten 

 inches. It has lost several of its lower limbs, and with them 

 much of its beauty ; but it holds its size fully to the height of 

 twenty or twenty-five feet, where it divides into three large 

 branches, the main, central one of which, rises upwards to a 

 height much above one hundred feet, perhaps to one hundred 

 and twenty or one hundred and twenty-five. Another, stand- 

 ing on the lawn, within the enclosure, has nearly the same ele- 

 vation, with a girth of twelve feet eight inches at three feet, 

 and eleven feet seven at five. Several trees of the same kind 

 in the rear of the house are known to have been planted in 1796, 

 so that they have now been planted nearly fifty years. The 

 largest and most northerly of these measures eight feet eleven 

 inches at three feet from the ground. Two others, being the 

 most westerly ones, have each a girth of seven feet ten inches 

 at three feet. The largest of these has thus made an annual 

 growth of more than two inches annually, and the others but 

 little less. All these trees are favorably situated, in the midst 

 of highly cultivated grounds, and the last mentioned grow in a 

 moist situation near a never failing stream. 



The uses of this tree in England and on the continent of Eu- 

 rope, are very numerous. Its wood is of a brownish color, and 

 is hard and fine grained, and of great lateral adhesion, and it is 

 little liable to crack or split when exposed to sun or weather. 

 It is therefore much employed for ship's blocks, and other 

 wooden parts of the rigging. It is also remarkable for its dura- 

 bility in water. It is employed for the keels of large ships, and 

 for pumps, water-pipes and troughs ; for mills and water-wheels, 

 piles, ship-planks beneath the water line ; also for gates and 

 rails, the knotty for hubs of wheels, the straight and smooth 



