SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



important to the natives of the country districts 

 and out-of-the-way small towns, where a supply 

 of good wood is wanting. When treated in the 

 same way as the young Pine, this tree grows tall 

 and fairly straight. It is then used for beams 

 and uprights in building operations. 



The Elm [JJlmus sp.) is valued for its wood, 

 usually being allowed to grow to a great size before 

 it is cut down. It is grown extensively along 

 the main roads on the plains of Shansi, Chihli 

 and in the valleys of Kansu. The wood being 

 very tough, is used in the manufacture of carts 

 and wheelbarrows, and the better class of furniture. 



The Common \Yillow (Salix sp.) is found all 

 over North China. It was the only tree we saw 

 in the Ordos Desert. All along the banks of the 

 Yellow River and throughout Northern Shensi 

 this tree forms almost the only wood supply, 

 and is usually used in a very unseasoned state. 

 All the barges and ferries on the upper reaches 

 of the Yellow River are made from willow boards, 

 which usually being narrow and crooked, require 

 great ingenuity in being fitted together. 



The Weeping Willow {Salyx habylonica) is a tree 

 that pertains more to the towns and well populated 

 districts of North China. 



In and round the towns also occur such trees 

 as the Acacia {Robinia sp.) and what the Chinese 

 call Ch'un Hsu. The former is particularly abun- 

 dant in the cities of Shansi, where it attains an 



223 



