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224 WISCONSIN AGRICULTUEE. 



DIVISION in.— APETALOUS. 



Order YI. Urticace^. — The Nettle Family. 



To this order belong the Elms and Hackberries, constituting 

 a section or sub-order named Ulmaceoe, the Elm Family. 



21. Ulmus Fulva, of Michaux. — Slippery Elm. 



This Elm is less common than the next species, in Wisconsin. 

 It has a more rapid and vigorous growth, and coarser foliage. 

 It is wanting in the beauty and graceful form of the common 

 Elm, and is therefore much less valuable as an ornamental tree. 

 Another serious objection to the tree for purposes of ornament, 

 is the mucilage of the inner bark, which form its valuable me- 

 dicinal qualities, tempts us to destroy the tree for the sake of the 

 bark ! The wood is generally used for the same purposes as that 

 of the White or common Elm; but neither of them possesses 

 any great value. The flowers are expanded before the leaves, 

 in April, and by the end of May, or early in June, the fruit is 

 ripe. The figure shows the flat, winged fruit, of the natural si2>e, 

 and a leaf reduced to one-fourth the natural size. 



22. Ulmus Americana^ of LinncEus. — American or White Elm. 



Though the American Elm is inferior to the European species 

 in hardness, strength, and other useful qualities, yet it has its 

 uses ; and those who have seen it in its full growth under favo- 

 rable circumstances, will readily agree with Michaux in ranking 

 it as "the most magnificent vegetable of the temperate zone." It 

 is therefore for its elegant and stately qualities as an ornamental 

 tree that this species of Elm demands our care and attention. 

 No one can visit New Haven, in Connecticut, without being 

 fully impressed with the grandeur of this noble forest tree, nor 

 without a degree of thankfulness and gratitude to those high- 

 minded and generous men who, long ago, by their care and fore- 



