OF FOREST-TREES. 



217 



ingenious Poet. I am told there is a Mountain Poplar much propagated cHAP. 

 in Germany, about Vienna, and in Bohemia, of which some trees have ^"^^ 

 yielded planks of a yard in breadth : Why do we procure none of them ? 



8. The best use of the Poplar and Abele (which are all of them hospi- 

 table trees, for any thing thrives under their shade,) is for walks and ave- 

 nues about grounds which are situated low^ and near the water, till com- 

 ing to be very old, they are apt to grow knurry, and out of proportion. 

 The timber is incomparable for all sorts of white wooden vessels, as trays, 

 bowls, and other turners' ware ; and of especial use for the bellows - 

 maker, because it is almost of the nature of cork, and for ship-pumps, 

 though not very solid, yet very close, and yet so light as it may be used 

 for the soles, as well as heels, of shoes. Vitruvius, I. de materie C(sdenda, 

 reckons it amongthehmlding-timhers, qucemaccime in cedijiciis suntidonecB. 

 It is proper for carts, because it is exceedingly light ; also for Vine and 

 Hop-props, and divers vimineous works. The loppings in January are 

 for the fire ; and therefore such as have proper grounds may, with ease, 

 and, in a short time, store themselves for a considerable family, where 

 fuel is dear : But the truth is, it burns untowardly, and rather moulders 

 away than maintains a solid heat. Of the twigs, with the leaves on, are 

 made brooms. The catkins attract the bees, as do also the leaves, espe- 

 cially of the black, being more tenacious of the mildews than most 

 forest-trees, the Oak excepted. 



Of the Aspen, our woodmen make hoops, fire-wood, coals, &c. ; and 

 the bark of young trees, in some countries, serves for candle or torch- 

 wood. 



The juice of Poplat-leaves, dropped into the ears, assuages the pain ; 

 and the buds contused, and mixed with honey, is a good collyrium for 

 the eyes ; as the unguent to refrigerate and cause sleep. 



One thing more of the White Poplar is not to be passed over, viz. 

 that the seeds of Mistletoe being put into holes bored in the bark of this 

 tree, have produced the plant.— -An experiment sufficient to determine 

 that so long controverted question concerning spontaneous and equivocal 

 generation. Vide D. Raii H, P. Append, p. 1918. 

 Volume I. Mm 



