X. 1. THE SLIPPERY ELM. 297 



6 feet 5.7; at 8, 8 feet ; at 11, 7 feet 4.7 inches. The spread of the top is 

 134 feet 8 inches. 



The great elm, on Boston Common, measured, in 1820, 23 feet at the 

 ground ; and 20 feet at 3. In 1844, it measured, near the ground, 23 feet 6 ; 

 at 3 feet, 17 feet 11 ; at 5 feet, 1G feet 1. On a map of Boston, published in 

 1720, this elm is delineated as a large tree. It is said to have been planted 

 about the year 1670, by Capt. Daniel Henchman, an ancestor of Gov. Han- 

 cock. It is, therefore, more than 175 years old.* 



The " Washington Elm," in Cambridge, so called because beneath its shade 

 or near it, Gen. Washington is said to have first drawn his sword, on taking 

 command of the American army, measured, in 1842, 15 feet 2, at 1 foot, and 

 13 feet 2, at 3 from the ground. In 1844, it measured 13 feet 2£ inches, at 

 the same point, where the girth is smallest. The celebrated Whitefield 

 preached under the shade of this tree, in 1744. 



The following measurements and accompanying particulars 

 are taken from a communication in the New England Farmer, 

 Vol. IV, p. 242, made in 1826 :— 



Two elms were set out by the Indians, in front of the house of Rev. Oliver 

 Peabody, who succeeded, in 1722, to the venerable Elliot, the Indian apostle, 

 in the same truly Christian ministry, in Natick. This voluntary offering of 

 the grateful savages, they called trees of peace. A similar offering was made 

 to Mr. Peabody's successor, Rev. Stephen Badger. These latter trees were 

 standing, in 1826, having been planted 73 years. They measured 15 feet at 

 the ground, and 9 at the smallest place above, having grown half an inch in 

 diameter annually. A tree standing in Framingham, which was 90 years old, 

 measured, in the same year, 20 feet at 1 foot from the ground. This indicates 

 an annual growth in diameter of more than four fifths of an inch. The same 

 communication states, that the Charter Oak, in Hartford, Conn., measured, at 

 the ground, 36 feet in girth, and at the smallest place above, 25 feet. 



Sp. 2. The Slippery Elm. Ulmns fulva. Michaux. 



Figured in Michaux, Sylva, Plate 128. 



The slippery elm has a strong resemblance to the common 

 elm. It has less of a drooping appearance, and the bark of the 

 smaller branches is rougher, and of a lighter color ; on the trunk 

 it is somewhat smoother and darker. It is commonly a much 

 smaller tree. The leaves are thicker and rougher, — excessively 

 rough above. The recent shoots are light gray, and very 



* See an article in the North American Review, July, 1844, for much curious 

 information on the longevity of trees. 



39 



