No. 133.] 409 



trees with poles, which is of service to them ; spread the nuts on 

 a floor to sweat ; when they become dry, cover them with sand, 

 and let them remain thus for twenty days ; then cast them in 

 water, reject those that float upon the surface and plant the bal- 

 ance after soaking one night in new milk as you would tulips, 

 with the point up ; do not remove them under two years, and 

 permit that time to pass between each transplanting j when set 

 in the plantation firmly, their own leaves will afford them suffi- 

 cient nourishment — they bear cold, bleak exposures admirably. 



Flour made from chesnuts is very nutritious and much used in 

 foreign countries for bread. Mixed with honey it is considered a 

 remedy for blood spitting, and deep seated coughs. The bark 

 boiled in water will color red. 



THE ASH, (fraxinus.) 

 The timber of this tree is in universal use, and I know not what 

 the husbandman would do without it. His cartSj ploughs, har- 

 rows, carriage poles, axle trees, handles for tools, &:c., are made 

 with this valuable wood. It is equally useful to the mariner. 

 For his blocks, pulleys and oars he is indebted lo it, as it will not 

 split when morticed and tenoned. It h:is a natural spring and 

 elasticity which caused it to be used for bows, spears and pikes 

 by our f aefatheis in time of war. 



An oil is extracted from it which has been supposed to cure 

 deafness, by being poured warm into the ears, toothache, spleen 

 &c It is not considered a good shade tree, from the fact that 

 certain insects inhabit it. December is the proper month to cut 

 this timber in, when the sap is at rest. 



The a.^h, like the cork tree, will grow after the bark has been 

 entirely strict ofl". There are seven varieties, the White ash, 

 (Fraxinus Americana), Common ash. Excelsior blue ash, (Quad- 

 rangulata), Carolinian ash, (Plati carpa). Black ash, (Sambuci- 

 fwlia), Red a.^h, (Tomentosa). 



