THE ASH. 



51 



I believe/' said Mr. Longhurst^ that^ in 

 the northern parts of Lancashire, where grass 

 is scarce, the small farmers frequently cut off 

 the tops of ash trees, to feed their cows with 

 the leaves and tender twigs." 



I have heard/' said Mrs. Heathfield, that 

 the leaves of ash trees have been used for a less 

 commendable purpose than that, — to mix with 

 those of tea, to defraud, and perhaps to injure 

 the health of those who consume that article." 



That practice/' I observed, has long been 

 forbidden by act of parliament ; and, I should 

 hope, is not now much in the usage of dealers ; 

 for, although these leaves are certainly not 

 poisonous, they are an injurious substitute for 

 tea. The bark of the ash is sometimes em- 

 ployed in the tanning of calf-skins, and also in 

 dyeing. As fuel, it is remarkable, that the 

 wood of this tree will burn nearly as well in 

 its green state as when dry, 



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