Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 233 



siderophloia, E. polyanthema, the best E. globulus and Hickory. 

 Over-old wood not desirable. When once thoroughly seasoned, it 

 does not shrink or swell, and is therefore preferred for flooring to 

 any natire timber in Virginia [Robb, Simmonds]. The inner bark 

 furnishes a yellow dye. The Red Ash (Fraxinus pubescens, Lamarck) 

 and the Carolina-Ash (F. platycarpa, Michaux) are of smaller size, 

 but F. pubescens may sometimes also become large. 



Fraxinus excelsior, C. Bauhin.* 



The ordinary Ash of Europe and Western Asia, extending to the 

 Himalayas and Thibet, there ascending to 9,000 feet. A tree of 

 comparatively quick growth, known to attain an age of nearly 200 

 years. It is a very hardy tree, braving the winters of Norway to 

 lat. 69 40', though there only a shrub ; but in lat. 61 12' it attained 

 still a height of 100 feet and a stem-diameter of 5 feet [Schuebeler]. 

 Rich soil on forest-rivulets or river-banks suits it best, although it 

 also thrives on moist sand. Wood remarkably tough and elastic, 

 used for agricultural and other implements, handles, ladders, drum- 

 hoops, carriage-work, oars, axle-trees, tackle-blocks and many other 

 purposes. Six peculiar kinds of Ash-trees occur in Japan, some 

 also in the Indian highlands ; all might be tried for industrial 

 culture. 



Fraxinus floribunda, Wallich. 



Nepal- Ash. Himalaya, between 4,000 and 11,000 feet. Attains 

 a height of 120 feet ; girth of stem sometimes 15 feet. Serves not 

 only as a timber-tree, but also as a fine avenue-tree. The wood 

 much sought for oars, ploughs and various implements [Stewart 

 and Brandis]. For forest-plantations Ashes are best mixed with 

 beeches and some other trees. 



Fraxinus nigra, Marsh. (F. sambucifolia, Lamarck.) 



Black or Water- Ash of Eastern North- America. Attains a height 

 of 80 feet. Requires deep loose soil and humidity, but is indifferent 

 to drainage [Fernow]. Wood still more tough and elastic than 

 that of F. Americana, but less durable when exposed ; easily split 

 into thin layers for basket-work ; it is also comparatively rich in 

 potash, like that of most of its congeners ; for oars and implements 

 it is inferior to that of the White Ash [Simmonds] ; much used 

 locally by waggon-builders [RansomeJ. 



Fraxinus Greg-ana, Nuttal. 



California- and Oregon-Ash. A tree, reaching 80 feet in height, 

 preferring low-lying alluvial lands. The wood of this fine species 

 is nearly white, very tough and durable, often used for oars and 

 handles of implements, also in carriage-building, cooperage and 

 manufacture of furniture. Though allied to F. nigra, this ash is 

 superior as a timber- tree. Ash-trees will grow readily in the shade 

 of other trees. 



