146 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



elegance of the elm; but, as an emblem of robust vigor, it 

 stands, both in the old and new world, at the head of all the 

 sons of the forest. Such has been its character in all ages. 

 It is also supposed to be a tree of slower growth and longer 

 life than any other ; though its superiority in this last respect 

 over the chestnut is far from incontestable. The useful qual- 

 ities of its wood have also been appreciated from time imme- 

 morial in every country in the temperate zone. For these 

 reasons, probably, the oak has been regarded with a degree of 

 veneration from the earliest ages of mankind. 



The first sepulchral monument on record was an oak tree.* 

 But in no country has it been more valued, more honored or 

 cherished, than in that of our forefathers ; and with abundant 

 reason, as forming the chief material of those wooden walls to 

 which they have more than once owed their national existence. 

 Hence it has long been recommended to us by many historical 

 and poetical associations ; and the achievements of our gallant 

 navy, as well as the vast benefits which we have derived from 

 our commerce, have given it a new and far stronger claim to 

 our veneration. 



Of all the species of this genus which grow in the latitude 

 of New England, the most valued is the white oak, (Qtie?'cus 

 alba.) This is easily distinguished from every other tree 

 of the same kind in our vicinity by the whiteness of its bark, 

 and by the persisting, or holding on, of a few of the dried 

 leaves in the winter season. Its leaves are also without 

 prickles or bristles at the end of their lobes — a quality in 

 which it agrees with no large oak in this State except the 

 swamp white oak, (Querciis prinus discolor.) It bears a 

 greater analogy than any other oak to the celebrated oak 

 of England — European white oak, or Quercus pedunculata. 

 Which of the two trees furnishes the finer timber, is a ques- 

 tion which has been investigated with great care. It is stated 

 by high authority that the wood of the American white oak 

 is lighter, more elastic, and more flexible than that of the 



* Gen. xxxv. 8. — "But Deborah, Kebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried be- 

 neath Bethel, under an oak; and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth " — i. e., 

 the oak of wcqnmj. 



