464 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



twelve inches, and is more valuable for the medicinal properties of its bark 

 than for the quality of its timber, which is fairly good. The bark (known 

 medicinally as Cascara sagrada) was at one time held in such hig-h esteem 

 and such immense quantities of it were exported from this state that the 

 species was threatened with speedy extermination, but a decline of about 

 fifty per cent, in price has given the tree a renewed chance in the struggle 

 for existence, while chronic medicine drinkers have doubtless betaken them- 

 selves to some more freely advertised medical cure-all. 



Range — California to British Columbia. 



The — Wood for cabinetw^ork ; bark medicinal. 



WESTERN DOGWOOD. 

 (Cornus Nuttallii And.) 



Another moisture-loving tree that consequently only attains its best devel- 

 opment west of the Cascade Range in this region, where it can be found 

 varying in height from twenty-five to eighty feet, and in diameter from six 

 to twenty inches. It is a very vigorous tree, blooming twice a year in thi« 

 state, usually in April and September. In spring it is a very showy tree in 

 the forest, owing to the great white involucres surrounding its flowers, and 

 in autumn it is even more conspicuous, owing to the contrast between the 

 bright red berries and the brilliant white involucres of its fall flowers. Its 

 altitudinal range is considerably more limited than that of the vine maple, 

 and extends only from sea level to about three thousand feet elevation. It 

 has the hardest wood of all of our Oregon trees, and on this account it i> 

 valued for all purposes where an exceedingly hai'd wood is required. 



Range — California to British Columbia. 



Vse — Furniture, wood-turning, cogs for water-wheels, etc. 



MADRONA. 



(Arbutus Mcnziesii Pursh.) 



Occurs generally throughout the state west of the Cascade Range, where 

 it is to be found on moist slopes or along stream banks. It \>& a beautiful 

 evergreen tree, with symmetrical branches, and large, coriaceous leave.s, 

 resembling those of the cultivated laurel, and is well adapted for lawn or 

 ornamentation. Flowers in profuse racemes, white; berries dark-reddish 

 and many-seeded. When young the bark is reddish-brown, shreddy and ex- 

 foliating, but becomes checked and firm on the mature tree. When fully 

 seasoned the wood is very hard, dark and heavy. 



Range — California to British Columbia. 



f7.se — Furniture and fancy cabinetwork. 



SHRUBBY FRINGE ASH. 

 (Fraxinus dipetuld H. & A.) 



A small tree, rarely exceeding twenty-five feet in height by about five 

 inches in diameter. It is not abundant anywhere in Oregon, but increases 

 in quantity towards the southern part of the state. The leaflets are much 



