Vermont Shrubs and Woody Vines 127 



assume the habit and size of a small tree when standing alone. 

 The farmer must often rate the sumach as a nuisance because 

 of its invasion of his pastures and the persistence with which, 

 following cutting, it will sprout from the root. The lover of the 

 wayside, however, must prize the grace and beautiful tints of the 

 sumach foliage and the richer color of its fruits in autumn and 

 winter. The sumachs are indeed among the best of native 

 shrubs for ornamental planting. In selecting plants the fertile 

 or fruit-bearing ones should usually be chosen. A finely cut- 

 leaved form is obtainable from nurserymen. The leaves and the 

 bark, which are rich in tannin, were formerly used in tanning, 

 and a medicine for fever has been prepared from the root. 



SMOOTH SUMACH. Rhus glabra L. 



This is quite as handsome a shrub as the staghorn and is 

 preferable for ornamental planting. It does not grow quite 

 so large and has a more spreading irregular habit. It oc- 

 curs only rarely in northern Vermont but is common in the 

 Hoosac and Southern Connecticut valleys. A cut-leaved form 

 of this species is also found in the trade. The leaves were for- 

 merly used for tanning and the berries, because of their acidity, 

 were employed as a substitute for lemon juice in various domestic 

 practices and in the preparation of home remedies. The berries 

 are used in dyeing, an infusion being said to furnish an un- 

 equalled black dye for wool. 



DWARF SUMACH. Rhus copalUua L. 



This as its name implies is a lower shrub than either of the 

 above mentioned. It is frequent in Vermont in dry or 

 sandy soil and is easily recognized by the winged margins of the 

 leaf stalks. Its value for ornamental planting is on a par with 

 the staghorn or smooth species. Its leaves are quite as rich in 

 tannin, and large quantities are collected in the south for tanning 

 leather. The Indians were fond of admixing dwarf or smooth 

 sumach leaves with their smoking tobacco. 



