. The Canadian horticulturist [monthly], 1893. Gardening; Canadian periodicals. 288 The Canadian Horticulturist. THE COMMON BIRCH. j. (betula alba.) HIS is met with in all the countries of Europe, and in the north of this continent, as well as in Northern Asia and America, it forms extensive forests. In Sweden, Norway and Lapland it springs up in places where fir, pine and beech forests have been destroyed by fire. The size and appearance of the birch vary considerably, according to the nature of the locality in which it grows. Upon lofty mountains it becomes comparatively small and shrub-like
. The Canadian horticulturist [monthly], 1893. Gardening; Canadian periodicals. 288 The Canadian Horticulturist. THE COMMON BIRCH. j. (betula alba.) HIS is met with in all the countries of Europe, and in the north of this continent, as well as in Northern Asia and America, it forms extensive forests. In Sweden, Norway and Lapland it springs up in places where fir, pine and beech forests have been destroyed by fire. The size and appearance of the birch vary considerably, according to the nature of the locality in which it grows. Upon lofty mountains it becomes comparatively small and shrub-like, thriving best upon slopes and plains. Its. usual height is from forty to fifty feet, but it frequently attains seventy feet. The bark of young trees is of reddish-brown hue, but with increasing age, it whitens until it assumes a beautiful silvery color ; the larger branches also become white, but the small twigs always retain their original hue. The birch throws off the outer layers of its bark annually, and thus it generally presents a smooth and shiny appearance. Upon very old trees, however, the bark is some- times burst and rent in all directions. The branches are slender, and at their extremities divided into numerous small twigs and rods. The leaves droop downwards, and give a peculiar appearance to the tree, by which it can readily be distinguished from its forest companions. The timber of the birch is white, close-grained, tough, light and pliant. It makes excellent firewood and yields superior charcoal for smelting. The sabots, or coarse shoes worn by the peasantry in some parts of France, are made from the wood of the birch ; in Germany, spokes, ladder beams, axe-handles and cattle-yokes are made from it; and in Great Britian it is used for turnery, hoops and fish-barrels. Almost every part of the tree is utilized. Brooms and switches are made from the small twigs and rods. In Sweden and Norway the leaves are often gathered while green, and given to sheep and goats
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