162 TREES 



axle-trees of carriages, the naves of v/heels, and for musical 

 instruments. The root is used for dyeing j^ellow, the bark 

 for tanning, and an oil is expressed from the stones of the 

 fruit." 



The best use we can make of the hackberry tree is to 

 plant it for shade and ornament. It is easily transplanted, 

 for the roots are shallow and fibrous, so that well-grown 

 trees may be moved in winter time. The autumn yellow 

 of the foliage is wonderfully cheerful, and the warty bark, 

 checked into small thick plates, is interesting at any sea- 

 son. 



European Nettle Tree 



C. Australis 



The European nettle tree is supposed to have been the 

 famous "lotus" of classical literature. Homer tells of the 

 lotus-eaters who, when they tasted the sweet fruit, straight- 

 way forgot their native land or could not be persuaded to 

 return. This innocent tree, against which the charge has 

 never been proved, bears a better reputation for the 

 qualities of its wood. It is as hard as box or holly, and 

 as beautiful as satin-wood when polished. Figures of 

 saints and other images are carved out of it. Hay-forks 

 are made of its supple limbs. Rocky worthless land is set 

 apart by law in some countries for the growing of these 

 trees. Suckers from the roots make admirable ramrods, 

 coach-whip stocks and walking-sticks. Shafts and axle- 

 trees of carriages are made of the larger shoots; oars and 

 hoops are supplied from these coppiced trees. From 

 northern Africa, throughout Europe, and on to India, the 

 tree is planted for shade, and its foliage is used as fodder 

 for cattle. 



