The Elms. 



243 



as if from sprouts that have come up around a tree that has decayed. 

 It is easily cultivated from the seed, which should generally be 

 planted in the autumn of the same year that they ripen. For or- 

 namental planting, they should be started in seed-beds, and then 

 transplanted into nursery rows. 



The Elms (Genus Ulmus). 

 968. About sixteen species and numerous varieties of the elm 

 are known to botanists, chiefly in the north temperate zone of both 

 continents, or upon mountains within the tropics. They are for the 

 most part trees of rapid growth, and attaining a large size, and the 

 wood is strong, tough, fibrous, difficult to split, and useful for a 

 great variety of purposes. It is generally very durable under 

 water, and its quality is much influenced by the conditions of soil, 

 humidity, and temperature under which it has grown. The seeds 

 ripen early in summer, and should be sown the same year. 



(b.) (c.) 



132. DiffereTices in the Growth of Elms.—Sections of the Elm: (a.) Prom Canada— The 

 layers of growth so thin that they cant scarcely be distinguished. (6.) From 

 Sunkirl:, France— Wood verj- strong, and grown in deep humid soil, (c.) From 

 the batrle-fifld of Toulon— Grown on a snb-.soil that is very damp, but owing 

 to the heat of the climate the wood is strong, id.) From Provence, France — 

 Grown on soil that is less humid. 



969. The White Elm (Ulmus Americana). This tree is justly 

 valued as one of the best for ornamental plantations, and one of 

 the most graceful in form. The branches generally divide at ten 

 or fifteen feet above the ground, and gradually diverging as they 

 rise, spread out on every side and then descend, giving the tree an 

 urn-shaped form, that at once distinguishes it at a great distance 

 from all other forest trees. Some of the New England towns and 

 villages, especially along the Connecticut river, present magnificent 

 avenues of this tree. 



970. The quality of the wood is generally excellent, as it is very 



