126 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Illinois. It is said to be found throughout the State, but I have never met 

 with it in the northern part. It vv^ill thrive on very poor soils. The wood 

 is heavier, stronger, finer-grained, and more durable than that of the white- 

 oak. It is a middle sized tree, and rarely affords timber of considerable 

 length. The superior quality of its wood renders it well v^orthy 

 cultivation. 



The chestnut is not a native of Illinois, but will grow in all parts of 

 the State. It will thrive in almost any soil except one that is wet. The 

 wood IS more durable than white-oak for fence posts, and is much used 

 for cabinet work, and for the inside finish of houses, railway cars, etc. 



A grove of the chestnut, if felled in winter will reproduce itself, in 

 fifteen or twenty years, by suckers from the stumps. These suckers grow 

 with astonishing rapidity, and need no other care than the exclusion of 

 stock, and thinning where they are too numerous. Unquestionably it 

 might be profitably planted for the fruit. Three trees 17 years old afforded 

 this year a bushel of nuts, besides the share which fell to the mice and 

 squirrels. For this purpose the trees should be planted fifteen or twenty 

 feet apart. 



Next to the oak family the Ashes are the most important trees for 

 general use. The seed of the different species ripens about the first of 

 October, and should be mixed with moist sand and laid by till spring, 

 when it may be sown in seed-beds, and the trees transplanted when one 

 or two years old to the place where they are to remain. Two feet apart 

 is the proper distance to set them. 



The white ash, [Fraxinus Americana)^ attains its fullest development 

 in cold climates. Its wood combines lightness with strength and 

 elasticity, in a degree which causes it to be preferred for the manufixcture 

 of agricultural implements, carriages, and all sorts of light machinery. 

 The consumption, for this and other purposes is very great, and the sup- 

 ply is rapidly diminishing. The white ash grows faster than the oak, 

 and is one of those trees in which the most rapid growth produces the best 

 timber. It is ever}^ way worthy of extensive culture. 



The blue ash, Fraxinus quadrangulatd)^ is unknown in the Atlantic 

 States. In the West it is usually found in rich soils. It does not grow 

 to so great a size as the white ash. Its wood is applied to the same 

 uses, and is in no way inferior. South of latitude 40 degrees, it would 

 probably be more eligible for cultivation than the white ash, which is 

 essentially a northern tree. 



The black ash, {^Fraxinus sambucifolid)^ commonly grows in wet 

 soils. The wood is tough and elastic, and the concentric circles are easily 

 separated, thus forming an economical material for hoops. 



The red ash, {Fraxinus pubescens)^ and the green ash, [Fraxinus 

 viridis)^ afford timber similar in quality to that of the white ash, but are 

 smaller size. 



The walnut family ranks next in this list. The nuts before becoming 

 dry should be laid in heaps on dry ground, covered with straw, and over 

 all three or four inches of earth. In spring they may be planted in the 

 same manner as acorns, except that the black-walnut and butternut may 



