The elm has been always considered as one of the trees which can be most safely transplanted after 
attaining a considerable size. Evelyn gives several accounts of this species being thus removed into other 
soils. In the year 1816, a much improved mode of transplanting this and other forest trees was introduced 
by Sir Henry Stewart, of Allanton, for an account of which we must refer our readers to his valuable work, 
“the Planter’s Guide.” 
The culture of the elm is effected in different ways ; as by seed, suckers, layers, and grafts. All the 
sorts and varieties are of hardy growth, and will succeed perfectly well in any common soil and exposure, 
but delight most in a deep rich earth of a stiffish loamy nature, which is rather inclined to moisture, the 
English sorts having the best situations and soil, and the Wych and Dutch kinds those which are inferior 
in these respects. The common small-leaved elm is of slower growth than our other wild species, with a 
harder, more durable, and consequently more valuable wood, which is preferred for most kinds of wheel- 
work, pipes for conducting water under the ground, pumps, coffins, and various other useful purposes. 
The elm-tree is liable to be injured, and is sometimes entirely destroyed by a minute beetle, (Scolytus 
destructor ,) which, in its preparatory state of metamorphosis, feeds upon the soft inner bark. This insect, 
which inhabits the elms of France and Germany, as well as England, was particularly prevalent, and caused 
incalculable mischief in St. James’s and Hyde Parks a few years ago. The leaves of the trees infested by 
the scolytus first became yellow, the trees themselves then die at the top, and ultimately altogether perish. 
“From March to September,” says Mr. Curtis, “the female may be found upon the trunks of elm-trees, 
making her way through the bark ; after which she proceeds between the bark and the wood ; forming a 
passage, and depositing her eggs on each side in her course till she is exhausted, when she dies, and may 
generally be found at the extremity of the channel; when the eggs which are deposited being close to each 
other, hatch, larvee beginning to feed, working nearly at right angles from the path of the parent, and pro- 
ceeding almost parallel to each other.” 
In order to check the ravages occasioned by these formidable little animals, Mr. Macleay recommends 
the infected trees to be brushed over in March, with a mixture of tar and train oil, a certain height above 
ground, which will destroy the larvae. An insect, similar in its economy, but belonging to a different genus, 
the Bostrichus typographus of Fabricius, and known in Germany under the name Wurm trockniss, (decay 
caused by worms,) occasioned terrible devastation among the pines in the Hartz forest, about the year 1783. 
Qualities and Chemical Properties. — The inner bark, which is the part used in medicine, ha s 
a yellowish colour, and a mucilaginous bitter astringent taste, without smell. The bark in the spring is 
most advantageously stripped from the small, but not from the smallest branches ; and in autumn from the 
branching roots. The decoction, when evaporated, leaves a little semi-transparent substance, soluble in 
water, but insoluble in alcohol and ether, which Dr. Thomson, in his Dispensatory, regards as ulmin: or 
rather, as a peculiar modification of mucus, combined with extractive, gallic acid, and super-tartrate of potass. 
Ulmin is the name given to a peculiar substance which was discovered by the celebrated Klaproth, in the 
bark of the elm. It exists in the bark of almost all trees, but is generally obtained by spontaneous exuda- 
tion from the elm. It may be prepared by acting on elm-bark by hot alcohol and cold water, and then 
digesting the residue in water which contains an alkaline carbonate in solution. In the solid state it has 
the appearance of gum. It has no taste, and is soluble, though sparingly, in water and alcohol. The alka- 
line carbonates dissolve it more abundantly, and it is precipitated from its solution in them by acids and mev- 
tallic salts. Dobereiner states, that gallic acid is converted into ulmin, by dissolving it in ammonia, and 
exposing the solution to oxygen gas. Ulmin has not hitherto been applied to any particular use. 
Medical Properties and Uses. — The decoction of elm-bark has been recommended in various 
cutaneous diseases ; particularly of the herpetic and leprous kind. Banau recommends its use in chronic 
rheumatism, scrofulous affections, tinea capitis, scurvy, and in old inveterate ulcers. In Vol. II. of 
the Medical Transactions, five cases of inveterate eruptions are narrated by Dr. Lysons, as having been 
cured by this remedy, but it is doubtful whether adjuncts are not the chief causes of relief. Dr. Lettsom 
also cured what he supposed to be the lepra ichthyosis of Sauvages by it ; but it is now fallen into disuse as, 
a remedy of very little power. Probably, however, it deserves more extensive trials before being dis- 
carded from our materia medica. The Decoction (Decoctio Ulmi of the pharmacopoeias) is made by boiling 
four ounces of the inner bark in four pints of water down to two pints. Dose from four to six or eight ounces 
twice a day. 
