30- TH ASH* 



and light-coloured ; the leaves dark green. 

 A well-grown afli is a handfome and 

 elegant object, though all may not agree 

 with the Roman poet in giving it the prize 

 of beauty aBove all the natives of the 

 foreft. There are few which excel it in 

 utility ; for its wood, next to that of the 

 oak, is employed for the greateft variety of 

 purpofes. Thus our Spenfer, mentioning 

 the particular ufes of a number of trees, 

 eharafterifes the afli as 



for nothing ill. 



It may be peculiarly termed the Imjband- 

 mans tree ; for it is one of the principal 

 materials in making ploughs, harrows, 

 waggons, carts, and various other imple- 

 ments for ruftic ufe : hence a proportional 

 number of afh-trees fhould be planted in 

 every farm. The tough nefs of its wood 

 rendered it a favourite with the heroes of 

 old for the fhafts of their potent fpcars ; 

 whence it is poetically termed " the mar- 

 tial afli." With us it is much employed in 

 poles for various purpofes, and alfo in 



fpokes 



