146 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
able that their flowers might be reciprocally fecundated, 
in which case some curious hybrids might sbe produced 
between the privet and the lilac, the privet and the olive, 
the lilac and the ash, etc. 4 
THE IRON-WOOD. 
This tree belongs to the northern portion of the United 
States and Canada. It grows to the height of from 
thirty to forty feet. The wood is very heavy, compact, 
and durable; also exceedingly fine grained. It is used 
for beetles, mallets, wedges, cogs of mill-wheels, etc. It 
is of very slow growth, and on this account it is ineligi- 
ble for timber, though it is a great success as an orna- 
ment, having light, slender, graceful branches, and a 
beautiful green foliage. Canes, umbrella-handles, and 
fancy carved-work are sometimes made from the wood 
of this tree. It is by no means common, and hence is 
not so well known as a great many of its more fortunate 
but not so worthy brethren; the only drawback to its 
culture as a timber-tree is its slowness of growth and 
small height. 
