THE ELM. 337 
tage is that when the tree is from eight to fourteen years 
of age. It is then apt to ramify near to the ground, and to 
form a very short trunk. By shortening the competing shoots 
and diminishing the strongest of the lateral branches with the 
pruning-knife, the bole may thus be lengthened into a more 
useful figure than that to which the tree is naturally inclined, 
particularly in open situations. 
Few trees are more difficult to uproot than the Scotch elm: 
it is a rare occurrence indeed to see a tree of this species thrown 
over by the influence of the wind; it also resists the influence 
of water better than most trees. During the great flood of 
August 1829 in Morayshire, the river Findhorn formed a new 
channel through a mixed plantation, and changed its course ; 
the only Scotch elm known of in the space continued to 
stand for a few years in the river, and hold its own, formmg 
a small island, till a winter flood accompanied with ice re- 
moved it. 
The timber is much in request for agricultural purposes, 
such as naves, shafts, rails, and frames for carts and barrows, 
handles for spades, forks, and other implements where strength 
and elasticity are required. It is also extensively used in ship 
and boat building. For naves, it is generally preferred in 
Scotland to any other wood; and when the tree is of the size 
adapted to that purpose, namely, from twelve to fifteen inches 
in diameter, it usually sells at about 2s. 6d. to 3s. per cubic 
foot, which is about one-fourth higher than its usual price for 
general purposes, and occasions the tree to be felled more fre- 
quently at the diameter stated than at any other size. The 
tree often yields large protuberances of gnarled wood, finely 
knotted by an accumulation of growth, and richly veined,— 
these are much esteemed for veneering, and are often very 
valuable. 
U.m. glabra (Miller) : The Smooth-leaved Wych Elm.—This 
is one of the fastest growing trees of the genus, and valuable for 
timber. It appeared about the middle of last century, and is 
known in some districts under the name of the Huntingdon 
elm. The plant is propagated by layers, but more frequently 
Y 
