HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 57 



lovers, rudely carved upon the smooth and mottled trunks. Civ- 

 ilization has brought us much, but of how much have we been 

 robbed ? 



Elm, Ulmus Americana. The elm is still flourishing, growing 

 wild about us in all directions, and native and transplanted spec- 

 imens of great size are numerous. We cannot be too grateful 

 for the wise forethought which resulted in the fine avenues of 

 shade elms which now adorn our older thoroughfares. 



White Birch, Betula populaefolia. The ancient growth is but 

 a memory, having gone with the canoe of the Indian, but the 

 birches are so persistent and prolific that their diminished rep- 

 resentatives are still seen on every hand. We add to the above 

 the Grey, Silver, Red, and Yellow or Golden Birch. Whole 

 generations have gone to peg and toothpick-mills, and countless 

 cords to the wood-yards. One would now stand in amazement 

 before a birch large enough to furnish bark in one piece to make 

 a canoe fifteen feet long. There is said to be a golden birch in 

 Andover with a circle of shade large enough to seat five hun- 

 dred people. 



Black Birch, Betula lenta. This is not uncommon and may 

 be recognized by the aromatic flavor of the twigs. The larger 

 trees were formerly made into table-tops, which may still be 

 found in old farmhouse kitchens, and also supplied hand-made 

 yokes and other wares of husbandry. 



Brown or Basket Ash, Fraxunis sambucifolia. Once common 

 but now met only as scattered trees. The White, Prickly, and 

 Mountain Ash are now scarce. The ash is undesirable as a 

 shade tree, the leaves coming late and going early. 



Chestnut, Castanea vesca. This tree grew and still grows in 

 all directions, and flourished in such profusion as to cause the 

 whole section hereabout, including all the adjoining towns, to be 

 known as the " Nutfield country," long before permanent settle- 

 ments were made. Many extensive groves have been swept 

 away and the forests culled for material for fence-posts and rail- 

 road ties, the work of extermination still proceeding. The near 



