1 82 FOREST 7REES. 



softening ; ground up into a coarse powder, it is used in the form of 

 poultices, and a drink, is concocted from the inner bark which is given 

 in fevers, and in complaints of the throat and chest ; it is by no means 

 unpalatable, and is nourishing and wholesome. Our medical men know 

 its value, and often recommend its use. The Indian chews the young 

 leaves and applies them as a healing application for wounds. 



The foliage of the Slippery Elm is oblong poirited and doubly 

 serrate, having an agreeable scent when dry. The bark on the tender 

 branchlets is downy, as also are the cases of the leaf-buds which are clothed 

 with soft rusty brown hairs. The tree is not one of the largest or 

 loftiest of our forest trees never attaining the height and dimensions of 

 the gigantic White Elm. The wood is reddish in colour, whence the 

 name Red Elm, tough and valued for many purposes. No less useful is 

 the 



Rock Elm. — Ulmiis racenwsa^ (Thomas). 



A larger tree than the Red Elm. Of this tree Dr. Hurlburt says : 

 "The Rock Elm is found in most parts of Canada, and grows very large 

 in the western counties, averaging 150 feet in height and 80 to the first 

 limb, with a diameter of 22 inches. It is abundant in the western part 

 of Canada ; preferred even to White Ash by some carriage and waggon 

 makers, for the poles and shafts of carriages and sleighs. 



The wood of the Rock Elm bears the driving of bolts and nails, 

 better than any other timber, and is exceedingly durable when con- 

 tinuously wet ; it is therefore much used for the keels of vessels, water- 

 works, piles, pumps, boards for coffins and all wet foundations requiring 

 wood. On account of its toughness it is selected for naves of wheels, 

 shells for tackle-blocks, and sometimes for the gunwales of ships. 



The bush settlers know its uses in making ox bows and axe handles, 

 it being greatly valued for such purposes. 



The branches of this tree are ridgy and winged and the bark is 

 deeply furrowed. I have noticed that the Rock Elm in this part of 

 Canada grows chiefly on waste poorish soil, and the tree is dwarfish, 

 and has not a free vigorous look. 



The l'2uroi)ean hedge-row Elm is sometimes seen near the roadsides. 

 How introduced one cannot say, but the trees may be known by the 

 small leaves and picturescjue growth — always beautiful whether growing 

 by the roadside, on open grassy glades, or copse-wood ; there is not a 

 more charming object in a rural landscape than an English hedge-row 

 Elm. 



There are (nr were, for I am not sure that they still remain) several 

 remarkable Elm trees in the suburbs of 'I'oronto, that well deserve the 



