380 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



well in this country. The timber is soft, but close in the grain, and can 

 be highly polished. It is hardy, and succeeds in exposed situations. 



The English Maple (Acer campestris, Linnaeus). This is a native of 

 Britain, and is planted in this country as an ornamental tree. 



The Birch (Betula alba, Linnaeus). This tree is distributed over 

 Europe generally. It is a very graceful tree, and very hardy. It is a 

 great ornament to Highland scenery. The timber is of a fair quality, 

 and is used for domestic purposes, although not very durable. The bark 

 is used for tanning purposes, and the timber is sold to be converted into 

 charcoal for the manufacture of gunpowder. 



The Weeping-Birch (Betula alba pendula). This has all the properties 

 of the former tree, but is more ornamental, in producing large pendulous 

 branches. This is a beautiful tree for lawn and pleasure-grounds. 



Tlie Common Elder (Sambucus nigra, Linnaeus). This is a native of 

 the greater part of the European continent. The wood is hard, and can 

 be highly polished. The tree is ornamental, and very showy when in 

 flower, and especially so when it is mixed in a woodland walk with trees 

 of a darker foliage. 



The Alder (Alnus glutinosa). A common tree found growing in 

 moist places over Europe. The timber is soft, but very durable under 

 water, and is used in the manufacture of gunpowder and in chemical 

 works. 



The Thorn Acacia or Locust-Tree (Bobinia pseudo-acacia, Linnaeus). 

 This is a native of North America. It is a very ornamental tree. The 

 timber is hard and durable, but as it generally grows with a very 

 crooked stem, it is not much used. 



Tlie Black Italian Poplar (Populus monilifera, Aitchison) is a native 

 of North America. It attains very large dimensions in this country, 

 and ought to be more grown than it is at present. It is the most rapid 

 growing of all the poplars, and sometimes attains the height of one 

 hundred feet in this country. Its timber is used for cartwright pur- 

 poses, turner-work, &c. 



The Balsam Poplar or Tacamahae-Tree (Populus lalsamifera, Linnaeus) 

 is also a native of North America, and attains a height of from forty to 

 fifty feet in this country. The timber is soft and light. 



The Lombardy Poplar (Populus fastigiata"). This is a native of Persia 

 and Italy. It is a rapid grower, especially when planted near water. 

 It grows in a tall upright form, and is easily distinguished from the 

 other poplars. The timber is not valuable, but the tree has a very 

 ornamental effect, and is a fine contrast with other trees in a park or 

 pleasure-ground. An avenue of this kind of tree, planted in the village 

 of Wass, has made an average growth of three feet per annum. 



