406 Birch Mind of the American Indians, 



tice, I venture in a simple manner to relate what I have wit- 

 nessed with regard to the usefulness of this rind, and in my 

 humble opinion the many ways in which it might be applied 

 in our gardens. 



The settlements of the Hudson's Bay Company are sup- 

 plied with this rind by the Indians, The Europeans never 

 venture to peel it from the tree, for in this process much 

 skill and ingenuity must be displayed, otherwise the trees soon 

 become weak, and in a few years perish. 



It is part of the Indian's study (unless when signals are 

 made), and particularly of the inland tribes, to watch with 

 care the growth of this beautiful tree, the height of which may 

 be judged by the circumference, as the first-rate trees measure 

 from 1 8 to 20 ft. round. The rind, on an average, is half an 

 inch thick, and this is reduced in a most scientific and easy 

 manner by a people whom we are accustomed to call savages. 

 They begin by separating the outside rough and knotty parts 

 from the more delicate, which, when prepared, tney use for 

 tentings or tent coverings, small and large baskets, and various 

 other utensils. The rind next the outer bark is principally 

 used for large and small canoes : the latter will carry 20 cwt. 

 They also construct measures of it, which will hold from one 

 to two bushels, and are exceedingly light and durable. But 

 as that part which is used as tenting appears to me of most 

 importance to the horticulturist, I will endeavour to explain 

 how the tenting is formed, and its use amongst the Indians, 

 and leave it to the decision of the amateur and gardener how 

 far it might be useful in our gardens. I have frequently seen 

 the Indian, his wife and children, forming this covering, which 

 generally consists of four lengths, each length ] 2 ft., and the 

 width 4 ft, The making is simple, but no European was ever 

 known to me that could finish off one to answer the purposes 

 with the readiness and nicety of the natives. The women sew 

 the lengths together with roots which the children procure in 

 the woods : these undergo the process of barking, cleaning, 

 and dividing. The men frame each separate length at both 

 ends, so that any convenient length or breadth might be 

 obtained, The utility of the rind tents is acknowledged by 

 the hunter and traveller of North America. They are used 

 throughout the year ; but during the hot months of June, July, 

 and August they are found particularly comfortable, and are 

 easily removed from place to place. The rain may descend in 

 torrents, but all beneath are safe from the storm. 



I have seen an Indian tent forming a circle of 60 ft., and 

 10 ft, high, covered in the short space of half an hour ; so that 

 flower beds containing choice roots or plants might thus be 



