Tli." Birches. 229 



Sometimes the wood lias knots and curls in the praia that take a 

 flue polish when used as veneers. It is a favorite wood for shoe- 

 pegp, spools, bobbins, and other small articles. It is peeled iuto 

 brooms, and strips of its wood arc braided into baskets and fishing- 

 traps. The smoke of its wood imparts a fine flavor to hums, and 



12S. Bctula alba. White Birch. 



its bark is used for tanning leather. An oil prepared from the birch 

 imparts the peculiar odor to Russia leather much used ia substantial 

 book-binding. Birch-wiue is made from the sap of this tree by 

 fermentation. 



908. The seeds of the birch and the alder scatter very soon after 



