SOILS. 37 



property of perfection in infancy ! From the 

 day its stem is three inches in diameter, the 

 wood is equally durable until it shall be 

 three feet, or any size or age whatever. In 

 the character of fuel, also, it burns equally 

 well green as dried. 



The value of this timber in all sorts of 

 husbandry work, for tools, utensils, and the 

 coarser articles of furniture, is too well 

 known to admit of farther comment here. 



MOUNTAIN-ASH, OR SORB. 



This plant grows freely in almost any soil, 

 but is found in greatest perfection, as timber* 

 on light, sandy, and highly elevated lands. 

 As a timber tree, however, it is of little use, 

 being only valued by the wheelwrights, to 

 which they prefer Birch and Beech. 



As fuel, it is excelled by none ; to which 

 purpose it is peculiarly adapted also on ac- 

 count of its quick growth, in the character 

 of hag-timber. As a nurse in bleak sites, it 

 stands unrivalled, except by the Larch. The 

 bark of this tree is also found useful in- 

 tanning, and is little inferior to that of the 

 Birch. 



