FOREST TREES. 207 



The wood is used for many kinds of cabinet work ; 

 and experience has proved it to be well fitted for those 

 parts of the frames of vessels which are always under 

 water. It is also an excellent fuel. 



Black Birch. The beautiful foliage, and the valuable 

 properties of the timber of the black birch, render it one 

 of the most interesting species of this genus of forest 

 trees. It is found over an extensive territory, growing 

 in abundance from Canada to Maryland, and in elevated 

 or mountainous regions, even in Georgia. On the Hud- 

 son River, and in New Jersey it is one of the first trees 

 to announce, by the opening verdure of its foliage, the 

 advancement of spring. The growth of this tree is 

 rapid, its foliage beautiful, and its timber no less useful 

 than any other species of birch. From these consider- 

 ations, Michaux recommends to Americans great care in 

 the preservation of it, and to Europeans the introduction 

 of it into their forests 



The sap of the birch which flows in great abundance 

 in the spring, is used for making a syrup, and may be 

 converted into beer, vinegar, and a kind of wine, but not 

 into sugar. The leaves, both in a green and dry state, 

 are used for the feeding of cattle. 



All the properties of the common white birch of Eu- 

 rope, are united in the canoe birch of our own country. 



Although tin's genus of American forest trees is less 

 useful and less interesting than some others which adorn 

 and enrich our country, it constitutes a part of the beauty 

 and the riches of this highly favored part of the globe, 

 and deserves to be studied more and appreciated higher, 

 by those into whose possession it has fallen. 



