The Birch. 



or a lofty one^ though, if desirable, it might, doubtless, be 

 made to become both large and lofty. But, as timber, it 

 yields the superiority to so many others, and, as underwood, 

 to so few, that it is seldom (unless for mere ornament) 

 cultivated, except in the latter character. Many, however, 

 are its good qualities. Its chief uses are in hoops and 

 brooms, though its wood, when sufficiently large, might be 

 applied to some of the uses to which the wood of the Alder 

 is put. The Birch makes but a poor hop- pole ; and, as a 

 stake, it will hardly stand a year. In quality it is inferior 

 to the Hazel in hoops, in hurdles, in rods ; but it grows 

 a great deal faster, more straight, and produces a much 

 more abundant crop. It will, too, not only grow, but 

 thrive, in any soil or situation, and does, in this respect, 

 far surpass all other trees. It will flourish on the top of a 

 bank of pure sand or gravel, and it will also flourish in 

 a bog. It is the first tree in leaf in the spring; and, where 

 it abounds, its verdure, which is peculiarly gay, glads the 

 eye more than ten days before the buds have begun to send 

 forth green from the other sorts of underwood. 



155. The SEED of the Birch resembles, in all respects, 

 that of the Aldkr, for a description of which, and for di- 

 rections as to the collecting and preserving the seed, see 

 paragraphs 96 and 97; only I may add here, that the seed 

 of the Birch and of the Alder, will, if kept constantly dry, 

 keep good for several years. 



156. But as to the SOWING of these seeds, the directions 

 are hereto be given, and these are to serve also for sowing 

 the seeds of the Alder. The seed is a very minute flat 

 thing, surrounded by a sort of web, or wing ; and, unless 

 great pains be bestowed, it will not come up. I took, for 

 several successive years, infinite pains to raise American 



