62 HAND-BOOK OF TREE-PLANTING. 



is also as solid as the outward appearance of 

 the tree would indicate. It is of fine texture, 

 adapting it to many important uses, such as 

 the framework of machinery, agricultural im- 

 plements, and tools of various kinds. It is used 

 extensively in making furniture and cabinet- 

 work. No other wood unites in an equal de- 

 gree the properties of ease in working, tough- 

 ness, compactness, and perfect smoothness when 

 exposed to wear. Not unfrequently the pecul- 

 iarity of its grain gives us the beautiful " bird's- 

 eye-maple," as it is called, or the " curled ma- 

 ple," so highly prized by the cabinet-maker, and 

 contributing so much to the ornament of our 

 dwellings. For fuel this tree is second only to 

 hickory, and for making charcoal it is unsur- 

 passed. But, to all these qualities which make 

 it so valuable, is added the saccharine nature 

 of its sap, which brings it into competition with 

 the cane of the tropics for the production of 

 sugar. On this account it deserves special con- 

 sideration by the tree-planter. The census re- 

 ports the annual production of sugar from the 

 maple as 35,576,061 pounds, and 1,796,048 gal- 

 lons of sirup in addition, equivalent to 20,000,000 



