THE HAWTHORN, 



217 



the severest and most protracted of our winters. 

 One bird of passage, the Haw -finch, only remains 

 wdth US during the months when its favourite food, 

 from which it derives its name, is to be procured, 

 coming in autumn and departing in the month of 

 April. It has been suggested that pigs might be 

 fed with haws during seasons of scarcity. 



The Hawthorn attains a great age, and, when 

 large enough to rank among timber-trees, is of 

 considerable value. According to Evelyn, ^' The 

 root of an old Thorn is excellent both for 

 boxes and combs, and is curiously and naturally 

 wrought : I have read that they make ribs to 

 some small boats or vessels with the White 

 Thorn; and it is certain, that if they were planted 

 single, and in standards, where they might be safe, 

 they would rise into large bodied trees in time, 

 and be of excellent use for the turner, not inferior 

 to Box." Loudon says, Its wood is very hard and 

 difficult to work : its colour is white, but with a 

 yellowish tinge ; its grain is fine, and it takes a 

 beautiful polish ; but it is not much used in the 

 arts, because it is seldom found of sufficient size, 

 and is besides apt to warp. It weighs, when 

 green, sixty-eight pounds twelve ounces per cubic 

 foot; and when dry, fifty-seven pounds five ounces. 

 It contracts, by drying, one-eighth of its bulk. 

 It is employed for the handles of hammers, the 

 teeth of mill-wheels, for flails and mallets, and, 

 when heated at the fire, for canes and walking- 

 sticks. The branches are used in the country for 

 heating ovens ; a purpose for which they are very 

 proper, as they give out much heat, and, like the 

 Ash and Furze, possess the property of burning 

 as readily when green as in their dry state." 



