150 WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



Roman agricultural writers recommended it for implements, and 

 from its varied uses in this respect it has been called "the 

 husbandman's tree." It is frequently coppiced, this young, or 

 u Maiden Ash," and the " stooled " shoots, or second growth from 

 the original roots, which are very tough, being fit for walking- 

 sticks or whip-handles when four or five years' growth, for lance- 

 poles or hop-poles a year or two later, for spade-handles at nine 

 years, and when 3 inches in diameter as valuable as the timber of 

 the largest tree. These growths are frequently termed " Ground 

 Ash." In the Potteries it is largely used for crate-making, for 

 which purpose it is cut every five or six years, though for other 

 purposes only every seven or eight, Since, when steamed or 

 heated, it can be easily bent, without injury, into any curve, it is 

 invaluable for hoops. Larger wood is largely used by the wheel- 

 wright, for both spokes and felloes, and by the carriage-builder, 

 and for oars. As it does not splinter it is also useful for 

 chopping blocks and shop-boards. For furniture it is chiefly used 

 where softer, as in Central Russia. Its flexibility unfits it for use 

 in architectural work. When seasoned, the sapwood is as valuable 

 as the heart. The roots and knotty parts of the stem were for- 

 merly valued by cabinetmakers, being known, according to 

 Evelyn, as " Green Ebony." There being no bitter principle in 

 the heartwood, Ash is very liable to the attacks of the larvae of 

 the furniture beetle, though painting renders it more durable. 



Ash is valuable as fuel, and its residue is rich in potash. 



The tree is a native of Europe and Northern Africa. 



Ash (Elceocdrpus obovdtus Don : Order Tilidcece). North- 

 eastern Australia. " Chereen " of natives in New South Wales, 

 "Woolal" in Queensland. Height 80 90 feet, diam. 2 2J ft. 

 White, hard, tough, easily worked. Used for oars. 



Ash (Flimtirsia). See Flindosa. 



Ash, American, Quebec, or White (Frdxinus americdna L. : 

 Order Oleacece.) S.G. 654, W 30-40, Co-efficient of elasticity 

 101,668, R 861 kilos, Resistance to longitudinal pressure 463, 

 Resistance to indentation 171. 



Height 70100 ft, diam. 13 ft. Imported in partly 



