318 OUR WOODLAND TREES. 
more in circumference than nine inches, is as 
mature and consequently as durable as the wood 
of amuch older Tree. Its wood was formerly used 
for bows and spears, and is now used for making 
amongst other things axle-trees, carts, ladders, 
oars, plough-stocks, pulley-blocks, tables, and tool- 
handles. It also makes the best ‘buts’ for fishing- 
rods. Indeed for any purpose in which combined 
toughness and elasticity are essential, this valu- 
able woodis used. Apropos of the uses of the Ash 
it may be mentioned that its ‘keys’ were at one 
time valued for their medicinal properties, and 
were also gathered when green and tender, and 
preserved with salt and vinegar, and thus made to 
serve as a table delicacy. 
It is the wing-like nature of the seed-vessels of 
the Ash which accounts for the presence of the Tree 
in strange and elevated positions; for it is their 
lightness which causes them to be dispersed and 
carried to great distances by the agency of the 
wind; and it is to this beautiful provision of 
Nature that we owe the presence of these beauti- 
ful Trees in positions where their graceful foli- 
age can be displayed to the greatest advantage. 
