172 



VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



our higher mountains. During the winter the little catkins remain tightly 

 closed, but by June they lengthen into slender, drooping clusters. Yellow 

 birch lumber is valuable for many purposes. It takes a beautiful polish, 

 and is becoming increasingly popular for furniture and for flooring. 



Because of its graceful form and attractive, yellow bark, it merits more 

 general usage for ornamental planting. 



The general similarity of the leaves and fruit of this species to those of 

 the paper and black birches, renders further illustration unnecessary. 



HORNBEAM ( IRONWOOD, 



leverwood, hop hornbeam). Ostrya Virginiana 

 (Mill.) Koch. 



Hornbeams are sometimes mis- 

 taken and transplanted for elms, 

 owing to the general similarity in the 

 appearances of the young trees. The 

 leaves of the hornbeam, however, 

 are nearly symmetrical at the base, 

 while those of the elm are more un- 

 equally developed. In late summer 

 the hornbeam is easily distinguished 

 by its fruit hanging in hop-like 

 heads. 



The hornbeam is quite generally 

 distributed, both in the valleys and 

 the mountainous parts of the state, 

 but is most common in the western 

 and southern portions. It is a small 

 tree. The wood is very strong, tough, 

 and durable in contact with the soil, 



hop hornbeam 



Leaves and fruit, X l A- 



hence the names ironwood, lever wood. It is used for levers, mallets and 

 for fencing materials. 



BLUE BEECH (WATER BEECH, HORNBEAM, IRONWOOD ) 



Walt. 



The blue beech is a small, bushy tree 

 rarely over twenty feet high. It is not un- 

 common in moist soil along streams, but 

 does not reach the higher altitudes. It is 

 distinguished in spring by its tiny flowers 

 arranged in loose racemes and in July by 

 the curious leaflike wings which develop 

 upon the fruit. A glance at its trunk makes 

 its recognition certain at any time of year, 



Carpinus Caroliniana 



BLUE BEECH 

 Leaves and fruit, x }$ 



