XIII. 



OLEACE^. 

 THE ASH. 



FRAXINVS. 



There is no tree growing in the British Islands 

 more serviceable than the ash. As a timber tree, 

 an ash with a clean stem is quite as readily sold 

 as an oak ; and good ash poles among underwood 

 greatly assist its disposal and price. 



The order of Oleacece consists of trees and 

 shrubs resembling jasmine-worts and having their 

 leaves in opposite pairs. Of this, besides the 

 ash, the olive, the privet, and the lilac are 

 examples. 



F. excelsior, our species, w'as probabl}' so 

 named from its loftiness as compared with other 

 members of the tribe. The ash is native to 

 Great Britain, and is very commonly distributed 

 in many districts, particularly in some parts of 

 the Midlands, where it has been planted almost 

 to the exclusion of every other tree. This was 

 no doubt due to the high estimate placed upon 

 its market value. Ash is the wood generall}- 

 used in the making of agricultural implements, 

 carts, and machinery. 



We like to see the ash planted in the hedge- 



