1 6 THE ELM. 



He alfo notices its hue, as of a deeper 

 green than the afh. 



The elm bed loves an open fituation and 

 a black clayey Toil. It bears tranfplanta- 

 tion well. It does not injure the grafs be- 

 neath it ; and its leaves are agreeable to 

 cattle, and in fome countries constitute a 

 confiderable part of their food. The an- 

 tients made great ufe of elms properly 

 trimmed as props or fupports for their 

 vines ; and the poets frequently allude to 

 the marriage of thefe diffimilar plants, and 

 the aid derived to the weak and fruitful 

 vine by twining round the ftrong ft em of 

 her hufband elm. 



The wood of the elm is hard and tough, 

 and ufeful for a variety of purpofes. It is 

 particularly ferviceable for occafions which 

 require its being kept conftantly wet ; as 

 in the keels and planking beneath the 

 water-line of (hips, mill-wheels and water- 

 works, and efpecially for water-pipes, the 

 great demand for which is the caufe of its 

 frequency about London, and of the prac- 

 '4 ticc 



