CHAPTER XXVII. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
THE ALDER TREE (AlttUS glutillOSCt) 
is a native of this country, and requires a good soil to 
bring it to perfection. It is generally found near to 
streams, rivers, and swampy places, where it attains a 
height of about 50 feet, with a circumference of from 
2 to 4 feet. 
The wood is reddish-white in colour, soft, and light, 
with a smooth, fine grain. It works up well, makes good 
clogs and soles for shoes, and is used in a variety of 
ways, but is of no great value to the. carpenter, except 
for the. making of packing-cases. It has been used for 
piles, pipes, sluices, &c., and is durable when kept wholly 
submerged ; it is not now, however, much in request for 
these purposes, as the Elm timber is considered to be far 
preferable. 
The wood of the stem is very plain, and only em¬ 
ployed for minor services ; but the roots and knots being 
often richly veined, are used by the turner and cabinet 
maker for the manufacture of small wares. The bark is 
used by dyers and tanners, and charcoal made from the 
wood is employed in the manufacture of gunpowder. 
