268 The Sour-Gum. 



them grow to a useful size as trees. Their bark is bitter and tonic, 

 and their wood generally very hard and fine-grained. 



1065. Of the genus Cornus, we find in the United States about a 

 dozen species. Of these in the Atlantic States the FLOWERING 

 DOGWOOD (C. florida) is perhaps the most important, as well for 

 cultivation as an ornamental tree, as for the solidity and excellence 

 of its wood. 



1066. The C. Nuttallii grows in California, and northward to Brit- 

 ish Columbia, to the size of 50 to 70 feet, and bears a showy 

 blossom. Its wood is close-grained and hard, and it is well worthy 

 of cultivation. There are about half a dozen other species of this 

 genus in California. 



THE SouR-GuM (Genus Nyssa). 



1067. This genus, also belonging to the Cornacece, of which five 

 or six species are found in the north temperate zone, in North 

 America, the Himalaya region, and Malay archipelago. The san- 

 dal-wood of commerce belongs to this family. 



1068. THE PEPPERIDGE (N. multiflora) occurs in the Atlantic 

 States from New England southward to the gulf coast. It is va- 

 riously named the " tupelo," "hornbeam," "snag-tree," etc., and 

 grows chiefly in swamps, and often to a large size. Its wood is ex- 

 ceedingly fibrous and difficult to split, and this quality renders it a 

 valuable material for wagon-hubs, the best being found in the 

 swamps of Maryland and the sea-coast of New Jersey, where it is 

 found in perfection. 



1069. When used for hubs, it should be cut in the early part of 

 winter, and from five to ten feet from each tree, near the butt, may 

 be taken. It should be at once deprived of the bark, and be cross- 

 piled in dry open sheds for three years or more, until thoroughly 

 dried. The best qualities are fined-grained, heavy, and the fibers 

 of the wood are so woven together that it can scarcely be split by 

 any force that can be applied. 



1070. The wood is also, for this reason, much used for making 

 packing-boxes that require great strength, and at Syracuse, N. Y., 

 it is used in making pipes for distributing the brine at the salt 

 works in that vicinity. Four other species of the Nyssa, occur in 

 the Middle and Southern States. 



