The sylva americana; or, A description of the forest trees indigenous to the United States, practically and botanically considered . close, whence it is susceptible of a briUiant polish; itpossesses also a considerable share of strength. The union ofthese properties renders it superior to the other species ofAmerican birch; and in Massachusetts, Connecticut and NewYork, it is next in esteem to the wild cherry tree among cabinetmakers. Tables and bedsteads of this wood, when carefullypreserved, acquire with time the appearance of mahogany, henceit is employed for the frames of arm-chairs, and o
The sylva americana; or, A description of the forest trees indigenous to the United States, practically and botanically considered . close, whence it is susceptible of a briUiant polish; itpossesses also a considerable share of strength. The union ofthese properties renders it superior to the other species ofAmerican birch; and in Massachusetts, Connecticut and NewYork, it is next in esteem to the wild cherry tree among cabinetmakers. Tables and bedsteads of this wood, when carefullypreserved, acquire with time the appearance of mahogany, henceit is employed for the frames of arm-chairs, and of sofas: thecoach makers also use it for the frames of their panels. Shoelasts are made of black birch, but they are less esteemed thanthose of beech. Such are the principal uses of the wood, fromwhich it may easily be gathered to what subsidiary purposes it isapplicable. The leaves and bark, when bruised, diffuse a verysweet odor, and as they retain this property when dried andcarefully preserved, they afford an agreeable infusion, with theaddition of a little sugar and cream. 120 SYLVA AMERICANA. Yellow Birch. Betula Fig. 1. PLATE Xir. A leaf. Fig. 2. A fertile ament. This species of birchabounds in the forests ofNova Scotia, of New Bruns-wick, in the state of Maine,New Hampshire and Ver-mont, where it is designatedby no other name thanYellow Birch. On tlie wes-tern bank of the Hudson itis rare ; and in New Jerseyand Pennsylvania only a fewindividuals of the species aremet with, in moist and shadysituations. It is confoundedby the inhabitants of theseStates with the black birch,which is very abundant, andto which it bears a striking resemblance. It is generally foundon cool and rich soils among the ashes, the hemlock spruce,and the black spruce. When it arrives at its greatest magnitude, it is more than70 feet in height and two feet in diameter. It is a beautiful tree,and its trunk is of nearly an uniform diameter, straight, anddestitute of branches for 30 or 40 feet.
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectforestsandforestry, bookyear1832
