2(50 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



Sassafras (Fig. 160) though neither hard, strong, nor es- 

 pecially pleasing, is exceptionally durable and comparatively 

 light. Hence it is valued in cooperage, for skiffs, and for 

 fencing. Chests made of the wood are said to be somewhat 

 proof against insects on account of the peculiar odor which 

 is supposed to be repellent to them. 



Fig. 24ti. — Bltick Walnut (Jiiylaiin iiiuni, W^ilimt Family, Juglandaceu:). 

 Leaf, i. Staminate fiower-cluster. Fruit. Nut with husk removed. 

 (Britton and Brown.) — Tree growing 45 m. tall; bark rough, brown; 

 leaves downy at lca.st beneath; flowers greenish; fruit firown. Native 

 home, Eastern North America. 



Fig. 247. — ^^'ild Black Cherry {Priiiiu.s sirolina. Rose Family, Rosnreip). 

 Flowering branch, '.. Fruit-cluster. (Britton and Brown.) — Tret- 

 growing about 30 m. tall; bark rough and black; leaves smooth above; 

 flowers white; fruit dark purple or black. Native home, Eastern 

 North America, 



Hickory (Fig. 30) is one of the very tou.ghest and strongest 

 of our woods, and has the advantage of being straight- 

 grained. Its liability to decay or to ])c attacked by insects 

 wIkui buried or exposed makes it unsuitable for many pur- 

 poses, but does not prevent its being an invalual)l(> v.-ood 

 for carriage and wagon stock, for parts of impk^ments and 

 machinery, for tool-handles and timlier-pins, and in harness 

 work and ('(joperage. Several species ai'e used. 



^Vdbii/t, especially Jilacl.- iralnitt (Fig. 240) has long been a 

 favorite ornanKnital wood particularly well adapted for join- 



