120 THE CHERRY. 



than a hundred men, during a siege, were kept alive for 

 nearly two months, without any other sustenance than a 

 little of this gum, taken sometimes into the mouth, and 

 suffered gradually to dissolve. 



" The timber is very valuable, being of a firm texture, 

 red-coloured, close-grained, easily worked, and susceptible 

 of a high polish. These qualities render it a desirable 

 material to the cabinet-maker, and the furniture made of it 

 is little, if at all inferior, both in respect to beauty and 

 durability, to that of the plainer kinds of mahogany. In 

 this country, where the wood just mentioned has in a great 

 measure superseded all other kinds in our articles of 

 furniture, and where the Cherry-tree has never been culti- 

 vated to any extent as a timber-tree, it is rare to meet 

 with specimens of furniture made of its wood ; but in 

 France, and other parts of the Continent where it abounds, 

 it is extensively used for this and various other purposes, 

 and is eagerly purchased by the cabinet-maker, the turner, 

 and the musical-instrument maker. Its value, however, is 

 not restricted to the uses made of it by those artisans ; it 

 is equally applicable to out-of-door uses and general car- 

 pentry ; and where exposure to the atmosphere, or the 

 alternation of dryness and moisture is required, it is 

 superior to most other timber we possess, and is only in- 

 ferior to the best Oak, or its rival the Larch." 1 



When treated as coppice, it is very useful for hop-poles, 

 props for vines, and hoops for casks. The Turks have the 

 tubes of their pipes, which are from four to seven feet long, 

 made of Cherry stems. 2 Like the Ash, it burns very well 

 as fire-wood in its green state; but if kept two or three 

 years and then used as fuel, it smoulders away like tinder, 

 without producing much heat. 



The double-flowered Cherry is a favourite ornament of 

 our gardens and lawns in spring, when its numerous snow- 

 white flowers present a beautiful appearance. Like many 



1 Selby. 



2 The best aie made of the Mahaleb, or perfumed, Cherry. 



