184 WOODLAND IDYLS. 



The hickory elm, 71 whose wood is among the 

 toughest of our native trees, grows in numbers 

 on these slopes, reaching a height of sixty to 

 ninety feet and a trunk diameter of three to 

 four feet. From our other elms it is known by 

 the oblong obovate leaves, three to five inches in 

 length and smooth above, and by the small 

 branches being corky-winged, thus giving the 

 tree a shaggy appearance and also one of its 

 common names, the "cork elm." Famous for 

 axles and hubs, it is also used extensively for 

 bridge timbers, sills, railway ties, etc. There is 

 little doubt but that wood from this kind of elm 

 was used in making the hubs and axles of the 

 Deacon's "wonderful one-hoss shay." 



When in passing along a fence row he looked 

 up and discovered a bee-tree, B. was excited and 

 happy. The busy little workers were flying in 

 and out of a hole near the top by scores. It 

 was a maple and M., who delights in climbing 

 and bee-hunting, said he would come back, nail 

 on a few slats and by cutting a large hole get 

 the honey. Marking the tree with E.'s initials 

 and an X, on we went in search of other 

 trophies. 



Three miles down stream we came to some 

 rugged bluffs of sandstone, from the base of 

 which issues a large spring of clear pure water. 

 Here we ate out lunches, discussing meanwhile 



Tl Ulmus raeemosa Thomas. 



