BROAD-LEAVED WOODS 531 



Among the most generally useful of the other broad-leaved 

 woods may be mentioned maple, elm, ash, and chestnut. 



Several kinds are particularly valued for their durability in the 

 ground; among these are chestnut, black locust, and catalpa. 



For cabinet work the most prized of our native woods are 

 black walnut, cherry, birch, and some species of oak. None of 



FIG. 393. Hickory (hard wood) forest near southern end of 

 Appalachian highlands 



After Frye 



these is as beautiful as some of the finer imported kinds, such 

 as mahogany, rosewood, and satinwood. 



506. Forestry. During the time when the country was in 

 process of being settled most portions of the Atlantic coast 

 region, and inland as far as the prairies of what are now the 

 states of Illinois and Minnesota, were covered with primitive 

 forest. The most difficult task of the settler was to clear 

 enough land for tillage. The finest timber trees were destroyed 

 by hundreds of thousands by the process of girdling, that 



