THE HICKORY AND ELM. . 269 



equally valuable for hoop-poles, walkiug-sticks, and similar 

 purposes ; while the lumber cut from the large trees brings 

 a higher price than any other produced in the Northern States. 

 It is used extensively in carriage-building and for axe handles, 

 in which form it is carried all over the world. Hickory 

 makes better fuel than any other wood with which we are 

 acquainted, and is always the standard by which the value of 

 other woods for this purpose is estimated. The best hickory 

 is worth, in the Boston market at the present time, one hun- 

 dred dollars the one thousand feet. In the form of firewood 

 it now seldom comes to the Boston market, where it readily 

 commands, however, sixteen dollars the cord, and in nearly 

 every part of the State it is worth from eight to ten dollars a 

 cord for curiug hams and bacon, for which purpose no other 

 wood supplies its place. The shagbark hickory (Qarya alba, 

 JSfutL), which also produces the finest fruit, and the pignut 

 hickory (Carya porcina, JVutL), are the most valuable species 

 for cultivation in Massachusetts. 



In the valley of the Connecticut the American elm develops 

 its noblest proportions, and there possibly earns the title of 

 the "most magnificent vegetable of the temperate zone," 

 bestowed on it by the younger Michaux. Except, however, 

 in very favorable situation-s, where its roots can find their 

 way in deep, cool soil, supplied with abundant moisture, the 

 American elm is far from a beautiful tree. In the situations 

 I have described as being favorable to it, the American elm 

 should be largely planted, not only on account of its beauty, 

 rapid growth, and long life, but for the value of its wood, 

 which has many uses, the most important being its employ- 

 ment for the hubs of carriage-wheels. 



The sugar-maple (Acer saccharinum) nowhere becomes a 

 finer tree than in the western portions of Massachusetts ; and 

 when we consider the value of its wood in the arts, and for 

 fuel, the value of its sap when converted into sugar, its rapid 

 growth, long life, immunity from the attacks of insects, and its 

 beauty and fitness for street and ornamental planting, it must 

 be acknowledged that no tree deserves more general cultivation 

 in this State. The wood of the sugar-maple, which is hard, 

 close-grained and smooth, is largely used in furniture-making, 

 cooperage, and in making shoe-lasts, for which it is preferred 



