82 ACER PLATANOIDES. 



vasatod say) of tlio loaves, and by others as the exudation of plant -Hoo {np/iidts.'^ 

 Hoes are so ionil ol" ii, that it has been recomiuended by some, to plant this spe- 

 cies in the vicinity of places where they are kept, to atford them forage; but 

 according to others, the bitterness of this substance on the leaves, prevents them 

 tVom beins attacked by insects. 



Pi'iperCics (ind IJ.^es. The wood of the Norway maple, in its young state, is 

 white ; but at a more advanced age, it becomes gray. It promises to be of more 

 value in England, and adapted for a greater variety of puri)os('s, than that of the 

 Acer jiscudo-platanus. It is close-grained, firm, heavy, and fiecpiently exhibits 

 tiiose beautil'ul appearances in the direction and disposition of the fibres, for 

 which the American "bird's-eye maple"' is so highly prized. When dry, it 

 weighs forty-three and a tpiarter pounds to a cubic loot ; and in seasoning, it 

 loses about one twenty-fourth part of its weight. It is easily worked, takes a 

 fine polish, and absorbs and retains various kinds of dyes and colouring sub- 

 stances. From the sap, sugar has been made in Norway, Sweden, and Lithu- 

 ania. This tree, however, does not produce so great a quantity of sap as the Acer 

 saccharinum, or the European sycamore ; but it contains more saccharine matter 

 than the latter, and less than the former. 



Independently of the above-named uses, this tree has much to recommend its 

 general culture, both in Europe and in America. In a suitable soil, it grows with 

 rapidity and luxuriance, and even thrives upon soils of an inferior quality, pro- 

 vided they are not charged with too much moisture. Another recommendation 

 it possesses, is its aptitude to withstand the effects of the sea-breeze, which it 

 has proved to do upon the western coast of Scotland, as well as upon the shores 

 of the Baltic, and eastern coast of Norway.=^ It may be propagated by seeds, 

 by layering, or grafting. The seeds, when gathered, should either be sown 

 immediately, or mixed with sand or earth, and kept moderately dry till spring. 

 In either case, they will come up the first year. 



* Selby, British Forest Trees, p. 24. 



