438 ON THE FOREST-TREES OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 



amounts to about 400,000 lbs. weight. The average value ot the sugar may 

 be set down at nine cents per pound. The sap is procured by "tapping" 

 the trees in the month of March. After the sap is procured, it is made to 

 undergo a process of boiling, and by this means the sugar is prepared. 

 Wherever sugar is made in any considerable quantity, the trees are pre- 

 served for this purpose. 



Eock maple is much used by cabinet-makers, coach-builders, &c, for 

 various purposes, and, in many instances, by millwrights for cogs of wheels 

 and other articles, in which the material is exposed to friction. It is, in 

 some instances, used by shipbuilders inland for bottom planking, being, 

 when confined under water, considered equally as lasting as birch.* This 

 W"Ood likewise furnishes the best fuel, when prepared for this purpose, and 

 of course commands a higher price than any other wood. 



Bird's-Eye, Curly, and White Maple (Acer Saccharinum) . — 

 Bird's-eye, curly, and white maples, like rock maple, grow in xinlimited 

 numbers. The species called " Bird's-eye " is much esteemed by cabinet- 

 makers as a superior wood for various articles of furniture ; it presents, 

 when made up, a very handsome appearance. 



The " Curly Maple " is likewise much sought after, for articles of fur- 

 niture. The wood is susceptible of a very fine polish, and when made up, 

 the grain is mnch admired. 



" White Maple " is much usetl for the planking of vessels, agricultural 

 implements, and many other purposes. The wood is strong and dense, and 

 is much esteemed for fuel. 



Oak (Quercus). — There are three" species of oak — the white, red, and 

 grey. They are all abundant in the interior of the province, and usually 

 attain to an altitude of seventy feet and upwards, while the diameter is from 

 two feet six inches to three feet. All of these species of oak are considered 

 elastic, and are much used by carriage-builders and miUwrights. Ship- 

 builders also use them for paul bitts, treenail fastenings, main pieces of 

 rudder, windlass, aprons, and stem and stern-posts. Agricultural imple- 

 ments are very frequently made from all these descriptions of oak. Staves 

 also are made from them for exportation, and the bark is extensively used 

 in tanning. The wood, however, is not so dense, nor is it held in so much 

 esteem as the African oak. 



Pine (Pinus). — There are three species of pines, known as the red, 

 white, and prince's. 



White Pine. — The white pine is unlimited in quantity, and when 

 manufactured, forms a very large item of the annual exports of the province. 

 It is to be found of an altitude of from 100 to 130 feet, though in some 

 cases it has been found 150 feet, and from 12 to 15 feet in circumference at 

 the base. It is considered to be the finest, most valuable, and most 

 majestic tree of all which compose the forests of the province. The foliage 

 is of a beautiful green, and contributes much to the natural grandeur of the 

 tree. White pine is extensively used in the manufacture of doors, sashes, 

 blinds, flooring, scantUng, clapboards, trimming, laths, shingles, palings, 



