WHAT TO PLANT. 67 



But the elms, of which we have four species 

 at least besides the white, are all estimable for- 

 est-trees, having a high fuel-value, as well as 

 great usefulness as timber for many constructive 

 purposes. Elm is the favorite wood for the 

 hubs of carriage-wheels and for ships' blocks, 

 and is in demand for many other uses. It bears 

 well exposure to the atmosphere. While it 

 grows best in deep, moist soils, it is found in a 

 great variety of situations. 



The birches, among the most widely diffused 

 of all our trees, are also among the most valua- 

 ble, though they have often been underrated be- 

 cause of their very abundance, or because they 

 do not compete with the oak and the pine as 

 timber-trees. But they have a very high fuel- 

 value, and, when we consider that by far the 

 largest and most necessary use of the trees is for 

 heating purposes, we shall feel that this class of 

 trees ought to be cherished by us. They have 

 other qualities, however, which commend them 

 to our attention. For many small articles of 

 manufacture the birch is preferred to any other 

 wood. For spools and bobbins, for instance, and 

 for many articles made by the turner's art, the 



