THE BIRCH. 6l 



for befoms. The bark is a very valuable 

 fubftance to the northern people, who make 

 various utenfils of it, and cover their houfes 

 with it. It alfo makes good torches ; for it 

 abounds in a relinous quality, which like- 

 wife gires it firmnefs and durability. 



The fap of the birch is an agreeably- 

 flavoured, fweetifh liquor, well known as 

 the bafis of one of our domeftic wines. It 

 is, however, neceflary to add fugar or 

 honey in order to bring it to ferment pro- 

 perly. Thi6 juice is extracled by boring 

 holes in the tree almoft to the centre of the 

 trunk, in the fpring, as foon as the fap 

 begins to flow. The leaves of the birch 

 poflfcfs an agreeable fragrance. 



THE 



