264 THE ASHES 



sold as " white ash." In consequence of its hardiness, it 

 has a wider range than any other timber Ash. It is widely 

 distributed, ranging from Massachusetts westward to the 

 Continental Divide and southward to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 but it is not very common east of the Mississippi Valley, 

 and it is not to be found at all along the Atlantic Coast 

 from Maryland to southern Florida. It is one of the few 

 trees that will grow in the moist, warm climate of the 

 Southern States and in the cold and dry regions of the 

 North. This adaptableness to conditions makes it one of 

 the most valuable trees for the Northwest, and it is supe- 

 rior to all other Ashes there. Its ability to withstand the 

 rigors of the climate far north of our northern boundary 

 has led to its propagation in the Dominion of Canada hun- 

 dreds of miles north of Montana. Its cultivation should 

 be along the line laid down for White Ash, and the same 

 care should be exercised in securing seed. There is no rea- 

 son why it should not be planted where it is too cold or too 

 dry for White Ash. While the wood is not quite equal to 

 that of White Ash, it is a very good substitute. 



BLUE ASH : Fraxinus quadrangulata 



THERE is still another Ash that produces good timber, 

 in fact vies with all others of that family for quality, but 

 it is by no means as widely distributed. It is known as 

 Blue Ash, Fraxinus quadrangulata, botanically so called 

 because of the four-angled arrangement of twigs and limbs. 

 It is known in the lumber trade as White Ash, and in this 

 case the purchaser is in no sense wronged, for the quality 

 of the wood is equal to the best White Ash, and probably 

 the average is better. 



Its natural range is not fully determined. It -may be 

 found from Michigan and Iowa southward to northern Ala- 

 bama and northern Arkansas. Its best development is on 

 the hills bordering the Wabash River, and on the western 

 slopes of some of the Tennessee mountains. It thrives best 



