A es th et/c
appreciation.
Elm.
Red oak.
Poplar.
Wi/lo w.
The ashes.
The pines.
Larch.
a favorable year more. The trees are found in more or less plenty all over the Island, where the original growth of forest remains; the greatest part of the inhabitants
supply themselves with all the sugar they consume in this manner, and many have a good deal to dispose of.
The maple tree adds much to the beauty of our forest scenery in the Autumn, as the leaves of a single tree will assume every tint from green to rich crimson and bright scarlet colour.
Elm (u/nus americana) of this tree, I think we have only one species, and that not very common, nor in great plenty, in any part of the Island.
Oak of one kind only, (quercus rubra) or Red Oak, is in some districts of the Island, found in considerable quantity, and is said to be of a superior quality to the same species on the neighbouring Continent, I suspect from the different appearance of it in some districts from others, that we have more than one variety of this species, the value of this timber is much inferior to the white oak of the Continent.
Poplar or Aspen (popu/us tremu/a.) This tree is in some districts of the Island in great plenty, it is not an indication of good soil, the wood when green, is soft and white, it is much used for fencing, for which, when split into rails, it is more valuable than any other wood produced in the Island, being much more durable; when dry, it is extremely hard and light, and is very fit for some kinds of turner’s work.
Swamp Willow (sa/ix.) This is a very useless tree, never grows to any size, nor are its twigs of any value, being very brittle, it is the first tree that blossoms in the spring, and its white flowers are to be seen, when all the other trees retain their winter appearance.
Ash of two species. 15‘. White Ash, or (fraxinus excels/or.) This is a valuable tree, but in no great quantity on the Island, it grows only in good land, is strait and tall, and sometimes found of a large diameter.
2“. Black Ash, or (fraxinus Americana.) This is a wood of very little value, the chief use to which it is put at present, is the making of baskets and brooms.
Pine, of this we have several species. 15‘. The White Pine (pinus strobus) which in point of size, greatly exceeds all the other productions of the forest, being found three, four, and five feet diameter, and of a great height, I have seen one made into a main mast for a 64 gun ship, without any additions; but the number of large sticks fit for the navy, in any one district, is not so great as to make them an object worth the attention of government: the quantity of pine upon the Island is not abundant, it is no where to be found in large groves unmixed with other trees, as is frequently the case on the Continent.
2". Yellow Pine (pinus pineal is harder and heavier than the white pine, but never grows to the same size: the quantity of this wood on the Island is not great, and is chiefly confined to two or three districts of small extent.
3". Pitch Pine (pinus taeda.) Of this we have very little, and of very inferior value, no attempts to extract tar from it have ever been made, that I am acquainted with, its knots and roots being full of terebinthin oil, afford a fine light when burning, and are sometimes used instead of candles.
4‘“. Larch (pinus larix.) This is the only tree of the terebinthine kind which sheds its leaves in autumn, its turpentine is said to have powerful medicinal qualities: l have
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