FOREST TREES. 61 
and is worth cultivating where that is an ooject. It 
grows rapidly on rich prairie soil. The seed ripens 
about the middle of July, and may be treated like 
that of the Black Birch. 
5. Betula alba—Huropean White Birch. 
Leaves, ovate, acute, somewhat triangular, un- 
equally serrate, nearly smooth. 
This species, which is cultivated for ornament in 
this country, is, in the north of Europe, a lofty tree, 
reaching, according to Michaux, the height of seventy 
or eighty feet. In the south of Europe it is smaller, 
and the timber inferior; while in the extreme north 
it becomes a shrub. In the spring it yields abundance 
of sap, from which a rich syrup may be made; but 
it will not crystallize. In the countries where it is 
native, itis applied to a great variety of uses. Its 
only advantage over the Canoe Birch is its capability 
of thriving in the most barren soils, where scarcely 
anything else will grow. It is propagated like the 
preceding species. There are some varieties, of which 
the cut-leaved is the most beautiful. This is propa- 
gated by layers or cuttings. 
6. Betula populifolia—American White Birch. 
Leaves, triangular, very taper-pointed, truncate, or 
nearly so, at the broad base; smooth and shining 
both sides. 
This is a small tree, common near the coast from 
Maine to Pennsylvania. It springs up in waste, 
garren lands, old worn-out pastures, and along fences. 
Its wood is soft and speedily decays. It is a graceful 
6 
