194 



f OK EST TREES. 



depressed : the kernel intensely bitter. It is a handsome tree ; but the 

 timber is inferior to that of the other Hickories. The bark of this species 

 is also used in dyeing. Tlie Bitter-nut affects a wetter soil than the more 

 popular 



Whitk Hickorv. — Shhi.l-f.ark Hickory. — Carya alba, (Nutt.) 



The fruit of this well-known species is much sought for when ripe, 

 in the month of October. It is round, hard, and of a light colour ; the 

 kernel, sweet and pleasant, though wanting the higher flavour of the 

 Walnut. This tree, like the Plane, sheds its bark, which peels off in 

 large, flat plates, giving an unsightly and ragged look to the trunk and 

 larger limbs. The foliage is smooth and glossy, of a full, rich green and 

 fragrant when crushed, giving out a fine aromatic scent. 



The wood of the Hickory is hard, and is considered to be the 

 heaviest of all our Canadian timbers, not even excepting that of the 

 Oak ; a cubic foot, according to Hurlburt, weighing in pounds 58 ; that 

 of the White Oak when fully seasoned 50 ; the Black Walnut only 30 ;. 

 the Sugar Maple 38 : that of the Ash 40 ; the White Elm 36 ; the 

 White Birch 32 ; Black Birch 46 ; Black Cherry 34 ; while the Bass- 

 wood is one of the lowest, being only 26 when dry; the Poplars and 

 \\'illows range yet lower in the scale ; while the Ironwood again reaches 

 to 47, and the Tall Dogwood ( Conuis fiorida) to 50. *These particulars 

 may not be uninteresting to some of the mechanics and the dealers in 

 the native woods of Canada. The wood of the White Hickory is highly 

 esteemed as fuel, and the fruit is an article of ready sale in the stores 

 and fruit markets. 



The wood is much esteemed for its elasticity and toughness, being 

 used in many manufactures where these qualities are required. 



The bark yields a yellow dye. 



This species is found abundantly in the woods about Belleville and 

 Kingston, appearing to thrive most freely m the calcareous soil of the 

 limestone districts. It is rare in the woods to the northward and al)out 

 the small lakes of the Otonabee. 



BuiTONwooi). — American Plank or Svcamork. — Plafain/s 

 occidentalism ( L. ) 



Button-wood is the common name given to the Plane-tree, by 

 which latter name it is better known in ICurope ; but by Americans it is 



I mil indebted to .f. B. Hurllmrt, LL.D., for Ww account of tlic weight of the different woods 

 an j-'iven iibove, nnd silsn for ni:iny useful and reliable imtiees from liis p!iiiii>lilet on tbe " rmdiicts 

 of tlie Forest and Wiiters of L'l'i'er Caniida." 



