VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



171 



PAPER BIRCH 

 Leaves and fruit, X %. 



the two may be distinguished. 

 The paper birch is a larger tree 

 than the white and more widely 

 distributed. The two species are 

 similar in the chalky whiteness 

 of the bark, but that of the white 

 birch clings closely so that it 

 cannot be separated in large 

 layers, whereas the peculiar 

 character of the paper birch is 

 the ease with which ample 

 sheets of the beautiful corky 

 layers may be removed. The 

 larger size of the paper birch 

 makes its lumber more useful for 

 manufacturing purposes than 

 that of the white. A dwarf form 

 known as variety minor, which 

 reaches a height of but a few 

 feet occurs on the exposed sum- 

 mit of Mt. Mansfield. 



SWEET BIRCH ( BLACK BIRCH, CHERRY BIRCH ). Betultt Unta Linn. 



The distinctive characters of this tree are well known to many Ver- 

 monters, who, as children, have become familiar with the sweet winter- 

 green flavor of bark and leaves. It is com- 

 mon in western Vermont, but reaches only 

 the foot-hills of the Green Mountains. Its 

 northern limit in the Connecticut valley is 

 in the vicinity of Norwich. 



The two kinds of catkins are noticeable 

 upon the bare trees in winter ; and they 

 open on the first spring days, before most 

 other trees have made a visible response to ./ 

 the sun's rays. The wood is hard, strong 

 and valuable for furniture and fuel. 



7/ 'U 



SWEET BIRCH 

 Leaves and fruit, X %■ 



yellow birch (gray birch ). Betula lutea Michx. 

 The polished silvery-yellow bark of the mature tree marks the yellow 

 birch almost as clearly as does the white bark in the case of the preceding 

 species. On the oldest trees in the primeval forest, however, the bark be- 

 comes a darker bronze and rough. It is common in nearly all parts of 

 Vermont, but especially in rich, cool soils, and it extends far up the sides of 



