228 SYLVAN WINTEE. 



polisli, and can then be made into ornamental 

 articles resembling somewhat tbe wood of the 

 Walnut-tree, 



Hard in texture, the wood of the Wild Plum 

 (Prunus spinosa) takes a fine polish, but is not 

 of much use, owing to its liability to crack. It is, 

 ■however, employed in some cases for making the 

 handles of tools, and, on account of its hardness, 

 for the teeth of various agricultural implements, 

 such as wooden rakes. For walking-sticks, 

 however, the Blackthorn is largely employed, on 

 account of the same quality of hardness, and 

 also on account of its beauty — for Wild Plum 

 walking-sticks are, it is well known, very 

 handsome. 



Another wood not commonly much esteemed 

 is that of. the Poplar (Populus). The same 

 general lack of estimation extends to the various 

 species of this genus. The rapidity of growth 

 of the Poplars causes the wood to be light and 

 soft, and that prevents it from acquiring that 

 closeness of grain and compactness so essential" 

 to good timber. In colour, most of these wogds 

 are light, inclining to yellow. For toy-making 



