80 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL 
LIST OF WOODS. 
N.B—The relative values of a given bulk, say a cord, of the various descriptions of 
woods when used as fuel, are stated in reference to shell-bark hickory as the standard, 
equal to 100. : 
f 1. Aprte Trex. Pyrus coronaria. 
Nat. Ord. Rosacew. Sub. Ord. Pomacee. 
Occurs in glades; not very common in Canada. The woods of the wild apple 
trees are in general pretty hard and close, and of red brown tints, mostly lighter 
than the hazel nut. The butt of the tree only is used. It is generally very 
straight and free from knots up to the crown, whence the branches spring. The 
apple tree splits very well, and is one of the best woods for standing, when it is 
properly seasoned ; it isa clean-working wood, and being harder than chesnut, 
sycamore or limetree, is better adapted than they for screwed work, but is inferior 
in that respect to pear tree, which is tougher. 
Specific gravity 0.65; weight of cubic foot 40 Ibs. 
Value for heating purposes 70. 
2. Wuire Aso. Fraxinus americana. 
Nat. Ord. Oleacee. 
A large forest tree, with grey furrowed bark, smooth greenish-grey branchlets 
and rusty colored buds ; flowers;in April and May; oceurs commonly in all rich and 
moist woods. The timber is much valued for its toughness and elasticity ; ex- 
cellent for works exposed to sudden shocks and strains, as the frames of machines, 
wheel-carriages, agricultural implements, the felloes of wheels, and the inside 
work of furniture &e.; also for handspikes, billiard cues, fishing rods, hammer 
handles, rails for chairs, and numerous similar works, which are much stronger 
when they follow the natural fibre of the wood. The young branches serve for 
hoops for ships’ masts, tubs, churns, d&c., also for coarse basket work. There are 
six species of ash found in America, of which the white ash is by far the mast 
valuable, and is yielded in much greater abundance in Canada than in any other 
part of the American continent. It grows rapidly, and the young wood is much 
more valuable than that of old trees, Ash soon rots when exposed to damp, or 
alternate dryness and moisture; but is tolerably durable in a dry situation. 
Specific gravity 0.616; weight of cubic foot 40 lbs. 
Value for heating purposes 77, 
3. Rep Asa. Fraxinus pubescens. 
Nat. Ord. Oleacee. 
A smaller tree than the white ash, of much more rare oecurrence, and furnish. 
ing much less valuable timber, which, however, is applied to similar uses. The 
usual height is about 60 feet, with a straight trunk covered with bark of a deep 
brown color. 
Specific gravity 0.7; weight of cubic foot 40 Ibs, 
4, Swamp Asn. Frazinus sambucifolia. 
Nat. Ord. Oleacee. 
Tree rather small, occurs in swamps and along streams and commonly distri- 
buted. Timber not of much value ; its soft tough wood easily separable into thin 
layers ; used for coarse basket work, chiefly by the Indians. 
