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LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
The Birch Tree. Betula. 
Nat. Ord. Betulaceae. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. 
The Birch trees are common inhabitants of the forests 
of all cold and elevated countries. They are remarkable 
for their smooth, silvery-white, or reddish colored stems, 
delicate and pliant spray, and small, light foliage. There 
is no deciduous tree which will endure a more rigorous 
climate, or grow at a greater elevation above the level of 
the sea. It is found growing in Greenland and Kams- 
chatka, as far north as the 58th and 60th degree of 
latitude, and on the Alps in Switzerland, according to 
that learned botanist, M. DeCandolle, at the elevation of 
4,400 feet. It is undoubtedly the most useful tree of 
northern climates. Not only are cattle and sheep 
sometimes fed upon the leaves, but the Laplander 
constructs his hut of the branches ; the Russian forms 
the bark into shoes, baskets, and cordage for harnessing 
his reindeer ; and the inhabitants of Northern Siberia, in 
times of scarcity, grind it to mix with their oatmeal for 
food. In this country the birch is no less useful. The 
North American Indian, and all who are obliged to travel 
the wild, unfrequented portions of British America, — 
who have to pass over rapids, and make their way 
through the wilderness from river to river, — find the 
canoe made of the birch bark, the lightest, the most 
durable, and convenient vessel, for these purposes, in the 
world.* 
* The following interesting description of their manufacture, we quote from 
Michaux. “ The most important purpose to which the Canoe birch is applied, 
and one in which its place is supplied by no other tree, is the construction of 
