

xxvii. ] BIR CH. 2 1 5 



northern ports, and passes into the manufacturing dis- 

 tricts for use in a variety of ways. Very little, however, 

 comes to the London market. 



There are several varieties of the Birch tree in 

 America, and among the best are the following : 



Betida rubra, or Red Birch, is found on the borders of 

 rivers in the southern provinces of the United States, and 

 according to Michaux, it delights as much in heat as 

 many other species do in cold. It attains the height of 

 70 feet, with a diameter of 30 to 36 inches. Its uses are 

 chiefly for cabinet work and turnery. 



Betula lenta, or B. nigra, the Black or Cherry Birch 

 of North America, is, perhaps, the most valuable, and is 

 abundant in the midland states. It differs, however, 

 from the common Birch of Europe, and flourishes best 

 in a rich soil. It is of straight growth, and, in favour- 

 able situations, attains the height of 75 feet, with a dia- 

 meter of 30 to 36 inches. 



The wood is of a yellowish colour, moderately hard, 

 straight and even in the grain, close in texture, easy to 

 work, and on account of its superior quality to the other 

 species, it is sometimes in America called Mountain 

 Mahogany. American Birch is imported into this 

 country in logs varying from 6 to 20 feet in length, by 

 12 to 30 inches, pretty well squared, and having only 

 I to 2 inches wane upon the angles. The sap is 2 to 4 

 inches thick. 



The heart-shake is small, and the wood near the pith 

 is, for the most part, solid ; very little loss can, there- 

 fore, arise from its conversion. It is used extensively 

 for furniture, turnery, and in a variety of ways in the 

 domestic arts. 



Dark, damp-looking spots and rings are often seen 

 on the ends of the logs, which seem to indicate incipient 



