164 An Account of Timber Trees likely 
cheap. It is very desirable in pleasure grounds, 
as it is the first forest tree in the spring which pre- 
sents us with its leaves: these are of a light and 
lively green. Its bark, which is white, makes, at 
all times, a beautiful variety when intermixed with 
other trees. It is said to be the most useful timber 
tree in North America, for building both of houses 
and boats, and will grow fast in any soil or situation, 
whether wet or dry. 
Miller, speaking of trees of this description, says, 
«they may be propagated by seeds, in the same man- 
ner as the common birch tree, and are equally hardy. 
Some of the trees now begin to produce their catkins 
in England, so that we may hope to have plenty of 
their seeds of our own growth, for at present we 
are supplied with them from America. As these grow 
more vigorously than the common sort, and thrive 
on the most barren ground, they may be cultivated to 
great advantage in England, for their wood is much 
esteemed in Canada, where the trees grow to a large 
size; and they are, by no means, an unsightly tree in 
parks, for their stems are straight, the bark smooth, 
and their leaves are much larger than those of the 
common birch, so may be planted in such places 
where few other trees will thrive.” 
Mr. Hanbury says, “ the black Virginian Birch, 
being of foreign growth, is propagated for wilder- 
ness and ornamental plantations; but, as it begins 
now to become pretty common, it is to be hoped it 
