HORNBEAM TREE. 



171 



been cultivated " for underwood in the country, and in 

 the nurseries to form hedges after the French taste ; for 

 in most of their great gardens, their cabinets, &c. are 

 formed of these trees, as are their trelhses and hedges 

 which surround the plantations. But since these sort 

 of ornaments have been banished from the English gar- 

 dens, there has been little demand for these trees in the 

 nurseries."" 



The Eastern Hornbeam, Carpinus orientalis^ is of 

 humbler growth, and has smaller leaves. 



The Hop Hornbeam, so named from the form of its 

 fruit, was first observed in Italy, is very common in Ger- 

 many, and is said to grow in abundance in many parts of 

 North America. It is of quicker growth than the com- 

 mon Hornbeam, and sheds its leaves with the generality 

 of deciduous trees. 



The Virginian Flowing Hornbeam, Carpinus Ameri- 

 cana^ is of quicker growth than either of the former sorts: 

 it sheds its leaves in autumn, about the same time with 

 the elm, and during the season of its verdure has a hand- 

 some appearance, being well clothed with leaves, which 

 are of a deep green colour, similar to those of the long- 

 leaved elm. 



The other kinds are, in this country, commonly budded 

 on the Common Hornbeam ; which, however, is the 

 best for cultivation, as it will grow to a larger size, and 

 also will thrive upon cold, exposed, and barren hills, and 

 resist violent winds better than most trees. The timber 

 is tough and flexible, and v/hen suffered to grow large, 

 may be converted to many useful purposes. Hitherto 

 it has been used chiefly for turnery ware, tool-handles, 

 yokes, &c. It is also an excellent fuel. 



Gerarde says, it was used to yoke oxen, as well by the 



