TREES. 9.1 



that the strongest blasts seldom break them, It 

 retains its symmetry of form till old age. 



THE SUGAR MAPLE. 



The sugar, or hard Maple extends from New 

 England to the West Central States. It grows more 

 slowly than some of the softer varieties, but finally 

 attains a very large size. 



When growing by itself in an open space, the 

 branches and leaves come out low down on the 

 stem. The top of the tree in such open locations 

 is generally oval in shape. In a crowded forest, 

 however, the main stem often rises forty or fifty 

 feet without a single branch. 



The bark of the sugar maple is light gray in 

 color, and is smooth on young trees, but rough on 

 older ones. 



The wood is very hard, strong, fine-grained, com- 

 pact, and capable of taking a high polish. It is one 

 of the most useful of all woods, especially for tools, 

 furniture, and floors. It is especially made use of 

 for floors, owing to its fine grain and great wear- 

 ing qualities. The wood is also valuable for fuel, 

 making a hot, cheerful bla?e nearly equal to that 

 of hickory. 



The leaves of the tree are among the most beau- 

 tiful of all leaves. They are arranged opposite on 

 the stem, and have long, slender petioles. The 

 simple leaf is divided into five principal lobes and 



