ACCLIMATIZATION. 
61 
Sugar-Maple (called by the Canadian-French Bois franc ) is of great use in 
domestic purposes, specially for the wheelwright and in the construction of the 
instruments of husbandry. It is even sometimes prefered to Oak in cabinet¬ 
work, as being equally hard, easier to work, and less expensive ; it moreover 
takes an excellent polish. The Sugar-Maple is the favourite tree of the Ca¬ 
nadians, and figures in the national arms. The sugar is worth in France about 
sixpence a pound ; in Canada and in the Colonies from ninepence to ten- 
pence a pound. One tree produces generally one pound, but the yield is 
greater when the Maple is exposed to the sun. In Canada the plantations 
are let out to peasants, and whole forests of this tree belong to the Crown 
lands. The sugar is obtained by making a deep incision at the base of each 
tree, a fit receptacle being placed to receive the exuded juice. It is collected 
in February, or at the beginning of March, although the ground is often still 
covered with snow. A cold dry winter is much more advantageous than a wet, 
variable season. On a bright sunshiny day, after a night’s frost, the juice flows 
more abundantly, and a tree sometimes produces as much as from two to 
three gallons. The time during which the juice exudes is about six weeks, 
precisely at the period when agricultural work is least in demand. An eye¬ 
witness states that a great evaporating pan is suspended over a quick fire, in 
the plantation itself. Into this pan is poured the collected juice, the whole 
being stirred up with a wooden spade. 
As soon as it begins to boil it thickens, changes from its -whitish colour 
into yellow, and so rapidly alters in consistence, that it is necessary, as speedily 
as may be, to transfer it into wooden moulds, in which it sets even before 
quite cold. By using clay-moulds a very white sugar is obtained, but of much 
inferior quality, specially with regard to taste. Other accounts state that it is 
capable of being refined equal to the best white sugar of commerce. Maple- 
sugar has a slight odour of Vanilla. The whole rustic population of Lower 
Canada (about 700,000 individuals) use no other. In 1851, the total production 
was estimated at ten million pounds weight, which amount did not include the 
sugar consumed by the inhabitants, which had not appeared in the markets. 
Some young plants have been received direct from Canada, which have suc¬ 
ceeded very well; there is therefore every reason to expect a favourable result 
from its cultivation. 
4. Quercus castanecefolia, Oak with Chestnut leaves. A very handsome tree ; 
the leaves being used for the nourishment of the silkworm called Bombyx 
Pernyi. 
5. Rims vernicifera, from Japan, which succeeds well in European climates. 
From it is extracted the true Japan varnish ; it is still rare. 
6. Ailanthus glandulosa. Of late, celebrated on account of its leaves sup¬ 
plying the proper food for the silkworm called Bombyx Oyntlda vera. Its 
cultivation seems destined to have important results. This tree was errone¬ 
ously supposed to yield the Japan varnish, and for this reason it is better 
known under the title of Japan varnish-tree than by its true name of Ailan¬ 
thus. 
7. TJrtica nivea, a robust, vigorous plant, producing the well-known article 
called Grass-Cloth. 
8. By way of ornament, the magnificent tree Chamcerojys excelsa, the 
Chinese Palm, has recently been introduced (1861-1862); its cultivation seems 
hitherto to have been attended with great success. If capable of being 
thoroughly acclimatized, it will form a most striking feature in our landscape 
gardening. 
For further description of the Garden I must refer the curious to a good 
Paris handbook, cautioning the reader not to put too implicit confidence in 
the rose-coloured style of narrative which most French writers find it so diffi- 
VOL. v. g 
