96 



0LEACEJ2. 



which means a constant and annual return is secured. 

 When older, or as soon as it has attained a diameter 

 of four or six inches, it becomes valuable to the cart- 

 wright and coachmaker, and at this size it cuts up to 

 advantage for the handles of pitchforks, axes, picks, and 

 agricultural instruments. It also makes excellent staves 

 for the barrels in which pickled herrings are packed, and 

 for this purpose alone would, in many districts, make a 

 profitable return to the planter. 



The wood of the Ash is of medium weight, being stated 

 by Loudon to weigh, when green, sixty-four pounds nine 

 ounces per cubic foot, and when dry, about forty-nine 

 pounds eight ounces. The roots are frequently very cu- 

 riously veined, or what is termed cambleted, and when 

 polished make a beautiful appearance ; on this account 

 they are in demand with the cabinet-maker for the lids 

 of boxes, small work-tables, &c. It also, at times, pro- 

 duces knotty excrescences which, according to Dr. Plott,* 

 exhibit a beautiful surface when polished ; and the twisted 

 or fasciated branch, arising from some extraordinary flow 

 or extravasation of the sap, and analogous to what is 

 sometimes seen in the Holly, the Willow, and the La- 

 burnum, is also occasionally met with upon the Ash. 



The Ash burns as freely in the green state or when 

 newly cut, as it does when dry, giving out much heat 

 with a clear flame, and very little smoke ; it also pro- 

 duces excellent potash, to make which the tops and 

 loppings are generally consumed when the tree is felled. 



The leaves of the Ash, when eaten by cows, are gener- 

 ally supposed, but we believe erroneously, to communi- 

 cate an unpleasant flavour to the milk and butter : we 

 have not been able to detect anything unpleasant in re- 



* " History of Staffordshire.'" 



