HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 55 



Balsam Fir, Abies bahamea. A graceful and symmetrical tree, 

 formerly adorning our hill and mountain crests, but now very 

 rare, being brought here from a distance to supply the demand 

 for Christmas trees. 



Hemlock, Abies Canadensis. This extremely beautiful tree 

 is still common in moist woods, in plateau ravines, and upon the 

 higher ridges. But the once great hemlock groves bearing fine 

 specimens of the old-growth giants, have long since disappeared. 

 It may not be generally known that the trunk of a full-grown 

 hemlock yields a bitter, resinous gum, which has never become 

 popular for chewing purposes. One of our earliest recollections 

 is the gathering of materials for hemlock-brooms for one of our 

 grandmothers. 



Juniper or Ground Hemlock, Jiiniperus communis. This low, 

 creeping shrub prevails in open woods and dry pastures ; the 

 more arid the soil the better it seems to flourish, and a field or 

 pasture attacked by it is doomed, as nothing else can grow up- 

 on the ground it covers. This pasture-pest seldom reaches a 

 height of more than two feet, while single shrubs are frequent- 

 ly more than twelve feet in diameter. Axe and fire supply the 

 only remedy, and must be used without stint. It is the vegeta- 

 ble octopus of creation. 



Rock or Sugar Maple, Acer saccharinnm. With the exception 

 of scattered groves and single specimens, this valuable tree has 

 disappeared, although never sufficiently plentiful here to encour- 

 age the manufacture of maple sugar ; but a few thousands are 

 fortunately growing as shade-trees. 



White or Soft Maple, Acer dasycarpiim. This variety grows 

 abundantly in moist lands, and is still common perhaps because 

 it has little value. 



Red Maple, Acer riibrum. This extremely beautiful tree fav- 

 ors vv^et lands, but flourishes at considerable elevations. Its 

 scarlet blossoms ofter to the eye one of the earliest and most 

 grateful promises of spring. 



Striped Maple, Acer Pennsylvatictim. This member of the 



