ELDER 51 



mens there have attained to the height the tree reaches 

 in its native habitat proves that it is well suited for 

 town planting in this country. 



N 



.-./ i Elder *?ftf*>' 



(Sambucus nigra) 



O other native shrub or small-growing tree has 

 been turned to so great a variety of useful 

 purposes as the Common Elder. For planting in 

 smoky localities, particularly the environs of chemical 

 works, and in the most exposed upland or seaside 

 situations, it has no equal ; while for using beneath 

 the shade and drip of taller growing species, even 

 evergreens, its value is justly recognised. The 

 leaves, bark, and fruit have at all times been utilised, 

 while the wood, which is white, close-grained, and 

 very compact, is valuable in many ways, and when of 

 fair size, say six inches in diameter, is much sought 

 after for printing blocks and the inlaying of furniture. 

 It can readily be tinted in imitation of box or ebony, 

 the former of which it much resembles in texture 

 and colour. In the making of skewers, knife handles, 

 and small ornamental boxes the timber has been 

 turned to good account, while the soft pith with 

 w r hich the young shoots are filled, from its extreme 

 lightness, is used in making the balls that are employed 

 in electrical experiments. Though pith is abundant 

 in young wood, it entirely disappears from that of 

 the older growth. 



In spite of its many and varied uses, the Elder is 

 held in no great esteem by country folk, its disagree- 

 able, foetid smell and usurping nature having been 



