VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



173 



however. This has a close, gray bark resembling that of the beech but 

 with furrows and ridges suggesting the muscles of a strong man's arm. It 

 is the toughest of all our woods. 



OAK FAMILY 



beech. Fagus Americana Sweet, F. ferruginra Ait. 



The beech, when growing 

 in the forest, with its tall, 

 graceful trunk, its smooth, 

 gray bark and shiny leaves, is 

 a handsome tree. It is not 

 only one of the most common 

 trees in Vermont, but also one 

 of the most widely distributed 

 in eastern North America. 



The drooping clusters of 

 pollen-bearing flowers and the 

 short, stout fruit-bearing heads 

 open under the newly spread- 

 ing leaves in early May. The 

 burs open and the nuts fall 

 with the first frosts of autumn. 

 There is a popular saying that 

 beech nuts occur plentifully 

 only once in seven years. 

 There certainly is great irreg- 

 ularity in the fruiting of the 

 beech. What is the reason ? This is an interesting question for some one 

 to investigate. 



The wood is quite hard and makes the best of flooring. It is also used 

 in the manufacture of bench planes and similar tools and for fuel. 



Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Bork., C sativa Americana Wats. 



Unfortunately the 

 chestnut is not found 

 in most parts of the 

 state. It occurs in 

 southeastern Vermont 

 along the Connecticut 

 valley as far north as 

 Windsor. In the south- 

 western part of the 

 state it is found well 



scattered in the Taconic 

 chestnut ^S=^: ///T 5 ^*. 



Leafaad.fruit, x *. ~^<.<^>^ ^ range from Pownal to 



BEECH 

 Leaves and fruit, X K* 



CHESTNUT. 



