CHAPTER XXVII. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
THE ALDER TREE (Alnus gliutinosa) 
is a native of this country, and requires a good soil to 
bring it to perfection. It is generally found near to 
streams, rivers, and swampy places, where it attains a 
height of about 50 feet, with a circumference of from 
2 to 4 feet. 
The wood is reddish-white in colour, soft, and light, 
with a smooth, fine grain. It works up well, makes good 
clogs and soles for shoes, and is used in a variety of 
ways, but is of no great value to the carpenter, except 
for the making of packing-cases. It has been used for \ 
piles, pipes, sluices, &c., and is durable when kept wholly 
submerged ; it is not now, however, much in request for 
these purposes, as the Elm timber is considered to be far_ 
preferable. 
The wood of the stem is very plain, and only em- 
ployed for minor services ; but the roots and knots being 
often richly veined, are used by the, turner and cabinet- 
maker for the manufacture of small wares. The bark is 
used by dyers and tanners, and charcoal made from the 
wood is employed in the manufacture of gunpowder. 
