78 



PYRU8. 



cream-white flowers, and as the autumn advances, its 

 berries, of the richest coral hue, give it a singularly pleasing 

 and beautiful effect ; — 



" How clung the Rowan to the rock 

 And through the foliage showed his head 

 With narrow leaves and berries red : — " 



and add to the contrast produced by its mixture with 

 the deep green of the pine, and the tufted and waving 

 foliage of the spiry birch, two of the usual and most 

 predominating trees in those localities in which it most 

 delights. It is not, however, to be despised, or its culti- 

 vation neglected, in scenery of a tamer and less stirring 

 description, and, loaded with its rich and glowing fruit, 

 it is one of the greatest ornaments to the pleasure gar- 

 dens of suburban villas. 



As a timber tree, the usual dimensions of the Mountain 

 Ash prevent its application to purposes requiring wood of a 

 large scantling ; but being fine grained, hard, and suscept- 

 ible of a high polish, for smaller manufactures, such as 

 handles to hammers, knives, and forks, and for various 

 articles in turnery, musical instruments, &c, it is con- 

 sidered equal to that of its congeners, the Pyrus aria 

 and Pyrus torminalis. It is as an undergrowth that 

 it is most valuable to the planter, producing a quick 

 return and affording tough poles, and excellent material 

 for hoops, crates, corf baskets, &c. As a nurse plant 

 to the oak and other trees in exposed districts, it is 

 also, from its constitutional hardihood, amongst the best 

 that can be used ; for, as Loudon very justly observes, 

 " being incapable of being drawn up above a certain 

 height by culture, it does not interfere with the growth 

 of the other trees, but after having done its duty as a 

 nurse, quietly submits to be overtopped and destroyed 



