The Birches 



colour and odour. Swedish farmers look for the opening leaves 

 of the birch as a sign to sow their barley. In England the elm 

 is watched for the same reason. 



In Parkinson's day the "physicall uses" of birch were few. 

 But he adds: 



"Many other civill uses the Birch is put unto, as first to 

 decke up Houses and arbours, both for the fresh greennesse and 

 good sent it casteth; it serveth to make hoopes to binde caskes 

 withall; the young branches being fresh are writhed, and serve 

 for bands unto faggots: of the young twiggs are made broomes to 

 sweepe our houses, as also rods to correct children at schoole, 

 or at home, and was an ensigne borne in bundles by the Lictors 

 or Sargeants before the Consulls in the old Romans times, with 

 which, and with axes borne in the like manner, they declared 

 the punishment for lesser, and greater offences, to their people." 



In the very end of their swift decay birch trees served the 

 fashionable world in the heydey of the powdered wig. "The 

 whitest part of the old wood of doating birches is made the grounds 

 of our effeminate farined Gallants' sweet powder." 



American birches are more valuable lumber trees and more 

 graceful for ornamental uses than the forest birches of Europe. 

 Let us cease to compare them with oaks and hickories, and set 

 ourselves to appreciate those peculiar virtues and charms that the 

 birches alone possess. 



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