USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 36
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192 Rhus,
182 Valisneria,
Claytonia,
181 Hledeoma,
193 Morus,
185 |Verbascum,
Cochlearia,
179 Helianthus,
183 Najas, 202 Rubus,
184| Vernonia,
191
Collinsonia,
193|Hepatica,
177 Nardosmia, 187 Rudbeckia,
188 Veronica,
193 196
Comarum,
181 flieracium,
189 Nemopanthes, 19] |Sagittaria,
201 Vicia,
183 150
Comoselinum, 186 Houstonia,
187| Nuphar,
178 Sambucus,
186 Vitis,
1º3 151
Convallaria,
201 Hydrocotyle,
195[Nyssa,
196|Sanguinaria,
178 Woodsia,
203
Convolvulus,
192 Hydrophyllum 192 (Enothera,
184|Sanicula,
185 Woodwardia, 207
Coptis,
178 Hyoscyamus 193 Onopordon,
189 Sarracenia,
178 Xanthinm,
Corallorhiza, . 199 Hypericum, Cornus,
180 Onoelea,
207 Saxifraga,
185|Xanthoxylum, INI
Corydalis,
179 Impatiens,
188|Orobanche,
194 Scirpus,
202|Zızia,
195
Cratægus,
18-1 Iris,
199 Oryzopsis,
204 Scrophularia,
194
Cryptotania,
185|Isolepis,
203 Osmorhiza,
186 Scutellaria,
193 Total, 393
204 189 205
Aspidium,
206 Dactylis,
205 Juniperus,
198 Panicum,
204|Sicyos,
Asplenium,
207 Dalibarda,
184 Justicia,
194 Parietaria,
196 Sida,
Aster,
187 Danthonia,
205 Lactuca,
189 Parnassia,
180 Silene,
154
Betula,
197 Deeodon,
184 Lathyrus,
183 Pastinaca,
186 Sisymbrium,
Blephilia,
192 Desmodium,
183 Lechea,
180 Peltandra,
Calopogon,
200 Echinocystis, 185 Linaria,
193|Piptatherum,
204 Stachys,
Camelina,
179| Elodea,
180 Linum,
181 Poa,
205|Streptopus,
Capsella,
179 Epiphegus,
Castilleja,
194 Erythronium,
201 Lycopsis,
192|Portulaca,
181 Tilia,
Chrysanthem. 189 Gerardia,
194 Milium,
204 Querens,
197 Urtica,
Cicuta,
185 Geum,
183 Mimulus,
194 Ranunculus, . 177 Utricularia,
190 201
Cinna,
201 Gnaphalium,
189| Mitella,
185|Rhamnus, 182 Vaccinium,
Cistopteris,
206 Hamamelis,
185 Monotropa,
191 Rhyncho-pora 203 Veratrum, 196 Ribes,
Clematis,
177 Helianthemum 180 Myriophyllum, 185 Rosa,
181 Verbena,
Comandra,
196 Heracleum,
186 Nasturtium, 179 Rumex,
195 Vibarnum,
Comptonia, 198 Hierochloa,
205| Nepeta,
193 Salix,
197 Viola,
Conium,
186 Humulus,
196 Nymphaa,
178 Samolus,
195 Waldsteinia,
186 Hypopithys,
191|Ophioglossum, 207 Schenchzeria, 202|Zanichellia, 202 181 Orchis, 199 Sehollera, 200 Zizania, 206
Corylus,
197 Inula,
*** Having been obliged, contrary to expectation, to work off the preceding Catalogue without awaltlar the return of the p oof sheets from the author, some typographical errors, &c., have occurred, for the correction of which are the Errata at the end of the volume.
187 199 200 193 194
Cerastium, 181 Fragaria,
184 Melampyrum, 194 Proserpinaca, 185 Triphora,
194|[.ithospermum 192 |Polanisia,
209
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
BASSWOOD.
BLACK CHERRY.
SUGAR MAPLE.
SECTION II. Trees and Fruits.
To the preceding full, and very perfect catalogne of Vermont Plants, kindly fur- nished for this work by Wm. Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich, Massachusetts, we here sub- join a brief account of our most important Forest Trees, a list of which has already been given, on page 173, and also a few words respecting our Shade Trees, Fruits, &c., which is all our limits will admit.
BASSWOOD, OR LIME TREE. Tilia Americanu.
This tree is found in all parts of the state, and under favorable circumstances grows to the height of' 70 or 80 feet with a proportional diameter. In newly clear- ed lands the stumps and large roots of the basswood are apt to send forth shoots which grow with great rapidity. To pre- vent the growth of these the bark is some- times stripped from the stumps, or they are seared by building a fire around them. The inner bark of this tree is sometimes macerated in water and formed into ropes. The wood is white and tender, but is val- uable for very many purposes. It is sawed into planks and boards, and is used for chair seats, trunks, and in the manu- facture of a variety of other articles.
BLACK CHERRY. Cerasus serotina.
This is our largest species of cherry tree, and sometimes, though rarely, ex- ceeds 50 feet in height and 15 inches in diameter. It is scattered, but very spar- ingly, over the greater part of the state. It is sometimes called Wild Cherry ; and also Cubinet Cherry, from the use made of it by cabinet makers. But it is more gen- erally called Black Cherry, and this name may be derived either from the color of the bark or the ripe fruit. The perfect wood is of a dull light red color, which deepens with age. It is compact, fine grained, brilliant, and not liable to warp when perfectly seasoned. It is extensive- ly used for almost all species of furniture,
and sometimes rivals mahogany in beau- ty, but it has been sought for with so much eagerness, that there is very little now remaining in our forests large enough to be sawn into boards. The bark of this tree is aromatic, has an agreeable bitter taste, and is often used as a tonic.
THE SUGAR MAPLE.
Acer saccharinum.
The Sugar Maple is one of our most common and valuable forest trees. It grows to a larger size than any other spe - cies of maple, and its wood, when season- ed, is much heavier and harder. Hence it is often called Rock Maple or Hard Ma- ple. Its ordinary height is about GO feet, with a diameter of from 2 to 3 feet. The wood, when first cut, is white, but by ex- posure assumes a rosy tinge Its grain is fine and close, and when polished has a silky lustre. It is strong and heavy, but when exposed to moisture soon decays, on which account it is little used either in civil or naval architecture. When thor- oughly seasoned it is used by wheel- wrights for axletrees and by sleigh makers for the runners of common sleds. It is also used by chair makers and cabinet makers in many kinds of their work. The wood of this tree exhibits two accidental forms of arrangement of the fibre, of which cab- inet makers take advantage for manufac- turing beautiful articles of furniture. The first consists of undulations, forming what is called Curled Maple. The second, which occurs only in old trees, appears to arise from an inflection of the fibre from the circumference towards the centre, produ- cing spots, which are sometimes con- tignous, and at others a little distance apart. This is what is called Bird's-Eye Maple, and the more numerous the spots, the more beautiful and more esteemed is the wood. Like the curled and striped maple, it is used for inlaying mahogany. It is also made into bedsteads, portable writing desks, and a variety of other arti- cles, for which purposes it is highly val- ued. The sugar maple is the most valu- able wood for fuel found in the state. Its ashes are very abundant and rich in alka- li. Its charcoal is of the most valuable kind. Its wood may easily be distinguish-
PT. I.
27
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210
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE MAPLES
THE MAPLES.
ed from the other kinds of maple by its weight and hardness. Valnable as this tree is on account of its wood, and for be- ing one of our most beautiful and flour- ishing ornamental shade trees, its value is greatly increased on acconnt of the su- gar extracted from it. When the coun- try was new, nearly all the sweetening consumed in the state was obtained from the sugar maple, and although the pro- portional quantity has been diminished by the destruction of the maple forests, our people have become so sensible of its val- ue, both for fuel and for its sugar, that they are taking munch paius to preserve groves of the second growth. It is a tree which grows rapidly, and considerable quantities of sugar are now made from trees which sprung from the seed since the settlement of the state was commen- ced. The quantity of sugar manufactured in the state in 1840, was 4,647,934 lbs.
The quality of the sugar made in the state is very unequal. While some of it is black, dirty and disagreeable, there is much made which is no wise inferior in color or flavor to the very best West In- dia sugar ; and this depends entirely upon the manner and care with which it is' manufactured. The dark' color, the clam- miness and disagreeable taste of much of our maple sugar, are owing chiefly to three causes. 1. The neglect to scald the buckets, &c., used for catching the sap, and to keep the sap clear from alt impu- rities. 2. Allowing the kettles to become so much heated at the top as to cause the syrrup to burn upon them, and afterwards to be dissolved and mingled with the syr- rup. 3. Allowing syrrup to remain too long in iron kettles. It should in no case be allowed to stand in the kettle over night. If these causes be guarded against and the syrrup be well settled, well cleansed, and done down without being burnt, there can be no failure of having good sugar. To make white coarse grain- od sugar, it should be done so that only about three fourths of it will grain. It should then be poured into a tub, and re- main unstirred till the graining has ceas- ed. The molasses should then be drain- ed or ponred off, and the sugar will be found to be very beautiful. It may be still further whitened by spreading upon the sugar a clean white cloth, and cover- ing it for a few days with moist dough, made of Indian meal. The sugar made from this tree, in addition to its excellent qualities, has two important recommen- dation. It is the production of our own state, and it is never tinctured with the sweat, and the groans. and the tears, and the blood of the poor ilave.
THE WHITE MAPLE. Acer dusycarpum.
This tree so nearly resembles the Red Maple, that it is very generally confoun- ded with it in Vermont, both being called Soft Maple, The name of White Maple may be derived either from the leaf or from the wood. The color of the under side of the leaf is a beautiful silvery white, and the wood is also very white, and of a fine texture; but it is softer and lighter than either of the other species of maple. It is sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture, for inlaying mahogony, cher- ry and walnut, but it is liable to change its color. Wooden bowls are sometimes made of it, but ash and poplar are prefer- able when they can be had. Sugar is sometimes made from the sap of this and the Red Maple, but the same quantity of sap does not yield more than half as much sugar as that of the sugar maple. Like the Red Maple, the extract from the in- ner hark of this tree produces a black pre- ceptale with copperas, and is sometimes used for coloring.
THIE RED MAPLE.
Acer rubrum.
This tree is found in most parts of the state, but in no part is so plentiful as the Sugar Maple. Its flowers appear in April, long before the leaves, and are the first indications which the forests exhibit of the returning spring. They are small, of a deep red color, and hence the name, Red Flowering Maple. This tree is most common in low moist lands, and on the banks of streams and ponds, but is some. times met with at considerable elevations on our hills and mountains. Its usual height is about 50 feet, with a diameter from 20 to 30 inches. The wood is light- er and more porous than that of the su- gar maple, but when seasoned under shel- ter it makes excellent fuel, and is valua- ble for various other purposes. It is easi- ly wrought in the lathe, and is much us-
211
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
THE ASIIES.
SASSAFRAS. SOUR GUM.
ed for yokes, the handles of agricultural im - plements, wooden dishes and other domes- tie wares. In old trees, the grain is some- times undulated constituting as in pre- ceding species, what is called Curled Me- ple. This is wrought into various articles of furniture, which for richness and lus- tre, often equals the finest mahogany. It is also used for the stocks of guns. From the inner bark of this tree an extract of a purple color is obtained, which is dar- kened by the addition of a little copperas or alum and sometimes used for writing ink, and also for dying black.
WHITE ASII. Fraxinus acuminata.
This tree is thinly scattered over nearly the whole state, and seems to delight in cool situations. It is most frequently met with near the banks of streams, and on the acclivities surrounding ponds and swamps. In these situations it frequent- ly attains the height of 70 or 80 feet, with a diameter of from two to three feet. It is universally known by the name of White Ash, and this name may be derived either from the color of the bark, the sap- wood, or the under surface of the leaves, all of which are white. By the light color of the bark it is readily distinguish- ed from the other species. The wood of this tree is highly esteemed for its strength, suppleness, and elasticity, and is applied with advantage to a great va- riety of uses. It is always selected by carriage makers for fills or shafts, the fel- loes of wheels, and the frames of carriage bodies. It is also used for chairs, scythe snaths and rake handles ; for hoops, sieves, boxes, wooden bowls, and a variety of other domestic wares ; also for the staves of casks, blocks for pullies, and on ac- count of its strength and elasticity, it is considered superior to any other kind of wood for oars.
RED ASII. Fraxinus pubescens.
The Red Ash is a handsome tree which grows to the height of about 60 feet. The bark on the trunk is of a deep brown color, and the wood liffers from that of the White Ash in being redder, but it | trunk, which continnes of nearly uniform
possesses most of the other properties of the White Ash, and is, in general, ap- plied to the same purposes.
BLACK ASHI. Frarinus sambucifolia.
The Black Ash requires a moister soil than the White Ash, and is commonly found growing on low lands, and in and abont swamps ; and hence it is sometimes called Swamp Ash. The perfect wood is of a brownish complexion, and by malling may be separated into thin narrow strips, which are employed for bottoming chairs, making baskets, riddles, &c. The sap- lings of this tree are much used for hoop- poles.
SASSAFRAS.
Laurus sassafras.
This interesting and valuable tree is found, but sparingly, in the southwestern parts of the state, and this seems to be its most northern limit. On account of its small size and scarcity, little account is made of the wood, but it is highly valued . for its medicinal properties. For more than 200 years it has maintained its repu- tation as an excellent sudorific, and it is employed to advantage in cutaneous affections and chronic rheumatism. The bark of the roots contains the greatest quantity of the peculiar extract of this tree. The dried leaves and young branch- es contain a large amount of mucilage.
THE TUPELO, OR SOUR GUM. Nyssa multiflora.
This tree, which is here usually called Pepperidge, is found sparsely scattered through the southern and western parts of the state, but no where in large quan- tities. It grows to the height of near 50 feet, with a diameter of 15 or 20 inches. The limbs usually descend low upon the
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212
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART 1.
RED MULBERRY.
IRON WOOD.
WHITE BEECH.
size for some distance. The wood of this tree holds a middle place between the hard and soft wood trees. The most re- markable peculiarity of this tree consists in the arrangement of its woody fibres, which are so united into bundles and twisted and braided together, that it is nearly impossible to spht it. Hence it is often employed for the naves of wheels, and other articles, which are liable to split when made of common materials.
THIE RED MULBERRY. Morus rubra.
Vermont is near the northern limit of the growth of this tree, and here it grows very sparingly. At the south it is said to attain the height of 60 or 70 feet, and the wood is employed for many useful pur- poses, but here neither its size nor its numbers render it of much consequence.
HORNBEAM, OR BLUE BEECH. Carpinus Americana.
This tree is not cominon excepting in the western part of the state, where it is generally known by the name of Blue Becch. It seldom exceeds twenty feet in height or 4 or 5 inches in diameter. The bark is smooth and undivided, and sets very close to the wood, the surface of which is usually irregularly furrowed. The wood is white, compact and line grained, but the tree is so small and rare that little account is made of it.
IRON WOOD.
Ostrya Virginica.
The body of this tree, while small,is much used for levers in rolling logs, and hence it is frequently called Lever Wood. It is also called Hop-Hornbeam, from the re- semblance of the fruit to that of the hop. The growth of this tree is very slow, as may be seen by the great number of con- centric annual layers contained in a tree of only a few inches in diameter. It nev-
er constitutes the principal part of the forest, but is thinly scattered among the other trees in almost all parts of the state. It seldom exceeds 40 feet in height or 10 inches in diameter. The wood is white, compact, fine grained, and very heavy. It is used for making the cogs of wheels, for mallets, and for various other purpo- ses. When seasoned it makes the very best of fuel, but its slow growth and lim- ited quantity prevents its being an object of mnuch regard.
RED BEECH. Fagus ferruginca.
The Red Beech is found in all parts of the state, and in some places is so much multiplied as to form almost entire forests of considerable extent. Its usual height when full grown is from 60 to 70 feet, with a diameter of 2 or 23 feet. The wood is valuable for fuel and in the arts. That of the second growth in open lands is strong, compact, fine grained and heavy. As it is not liable to warp when well sea- soned, it is very suitable for the backs of cards, and is generally chosen for that purpose. It is also used for shoe lasts, for the wood of joiners' planes and other tools, and for the handles of various kinds of instruments. For fuel it is but little inferior to the sugar maple, if it be sea- soned and kept under shelter from rains and moisture, but if exposed it is soon in- jured, and the sap wood soon rots. The fruit of this tree is usually abundant, and as swine eat it with avidity the early set- tlers of the state relied much upon beech- nuts for fattening their hogs. As beech- nuts are injured by the fall rains, those which are designed for preservation should be gathered as soon as ripe, and should be thinly spread in a dry place till they are thoroughly seasoned. They are often eaten, but are not very highly es- teemed. A rich oil may be extracted from the nut.
THE WHITE BEECH.
Fagus sylvestris.
The two kinds of Beech are distin- guished chiefly by their wood and dura- bility. In the White Beech the greater I part of the tree is sap-wood and very per-
213
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
THE CHESTNUT.
THE OAKS. THE LARGE WHITE BIRCH.
ishable, while in the Red Beech the sap | and is preferred to any other wood for wood is thin, and the heart, or perfeet wood exceedingly compact and darable. The White Beech also grows to a greater height, and its trunk is freer from limbs than that of the Red Beech.
CHESTNUT.
Castanea vesca, var. Americana.
The Chestnut in Vermont is confined mostly to the south western parts, and to the towns lying along the bank of Con- nectient river in the counties of Wind- ham and Windsor. The basis of the soil in which it there flourishes is an argilla- ceous slate. According to the journal of Samuel Champlain, he found this tree growing on the shore of the lake which bears his name, in 1609. The wood is durable, and where it exists in sufficient quantities, it is used for posts and rails for fences, for shingles, and for staves of dry casks. For posts, trees from six to ten inches in diameter are employed, and they are generally charred on their sur- face before they are set in the ground. Chestnut rails are said to last more than 50 years. The wood being filled with air snaps as it burns, and on that account is not much esteemed for fuel; but coal made of it is excellent.
THE WHITE OAK-
Quercus alba.
The growth of the White Oak is con- fined principally to the southern and western parts of the state, and even there was never very much multiplied. The original growth sometimes attained the height of 70 feet, with a diameter of three or four feet, but the old trees have been nearly all cut down, and only a second growth, which has sprung up since the country was settled, now remains. The wood of this tree is more valuable than that of any other of the American oaks. It is of a reddish white color, and is very strong and durable. When perfectly sea- coned it is much used by carriage makers,
the frames of coaches, waggons, and sleighs, and also for the felloes, spokes and naves of wheels. The wood of the stoeks of young trees is very tough and elastie, and is susceptible of minute divis- ion ; and hence it is much used for bas- kets, the hoops of sieves, and for whip, pail and axe handles. It also makes the best of staves for casks, and is the most valuable wood for ship-building. The bark of the White Oak is much used in medicine on account of its astringent prop- erties. It is taken internally in the form of a decoction, or powder, for intermittent fevers, and is applied externally to wounds and ulcers as a styptic and antiseptic. Inhaled in the form of an impalpable powder, it is said to eure the phthisie in its advanced stages. For medical pur- poses the inner bark on small branches is to be chosen.
RED OAK. Quercus rubra.
This oak, though not very abundant in Vermont, is more plentiful and widely diffused in the state than the preceding species. The wood is reddish and very coarse grained, and is of little value eom- pared with that of the White Oak. It is used principally for staves and heads of casks. The bark is used in tanning leath- er.
The other species of oak, mentioned on pages 173 and 174, are found in Ver- mont only in small quantities.
LARGE WHITE BIRCH.
Bolula papyracca.
This tree is quite common, and often attains the height of 60 or 70 feet. It is often called Canoe Birch, from the circum- stance of its bark often being employed by the Indians in the construction of ca- noes. They also manufacture the bark into baskets and boxes. Divided into thin sheets it has been used as a substitute for paper. In new settlements large plates of the bark of this tree were sometimes used for covering the roofs of houses. The wood of this tree is lighter, when seasoned, and less valuable than that of the Yellow Birch and Black Birch.
214
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE BIRCHES.
BUTTONWOOD.
WHITE EL.M.
THE BLACK, OR CHERRY BIRCH. Betula lenta.
This tree is called Cherry Birch, from its resemblance to the wild cherry. It is also sometimes called Stocet Birch, or Spice Birch, on account of its agreeable aromatic smell and taste. It grows best in a deep loose soil, and sometimes reach- es the height of 80 feet, with a diameter, at the bottom, of more than three feet. It is not so abundant as the following spe- cies, but the wood is more highly valued by the cabinet makers, being finer grained and susceptible of a higher polish. When freshly eat the wood has a light rosy hue, which deepens by exposure to the light. It is much used in the manufacture of bedsteads, tables, sofas, armed chairs, and a variety of other articles, and with age assumes very much the appearance of mahogany.
THE YELLOW BIRCII. Betula eccelsa.
The Yellow Birch is common in all parts of the state, generally preferring a rich moist soil. It ranks as one of our largest trees, often attaining the height of 70 or 80 feet, with a diameter of three or four feet. It is remarkable for the color and arrangement of its epidermis or onter bark, which is of a golden yellow color, and which frequently divides itself into narrow strips, rolled backwards at the ends and attached in the middle, giving to the tree a ragged appearance. The bark and young shoots have an agreeable aromatic odor and spicy taste. The wood of this tree is very valuable. It ranks next to the sugar maple in excellence as an article of fuel, and is used for various other purposes. It is sawed into joists, planks and boards, and is used by the cabinet maker for bedsteads, tables, and numerous other articles of household fur- niture. It is also made into yokes for oxen, and ox-sleds. The saplings are used for hoop-poles, and from these most of the brooms were made which were used by the early settlers. The bark is used in tanning leather. Russia leather is said
to owe its peculiar odor, and its power of resisting moisture and the attack of worms and insects, to an oil used in currying, which is extracted from the paper-like bark of the birch. Ilence its value for book-binding. The oil is obtained by heating the bark in closed earthern or iron vessels.
BUTTONWOOD, OR SYCAMORE.
Platanus occidentalis.
The Buttonwood is usually found grow- ing along the banks of streams and mar- gins of lakes and ponds, and, although, in Vermont, it does not,in magnitude, exceed some other trees, it is said in some parts of our country to grow to a greater size than any other tree in the United States. We have accounts of button wood trees in the western part of the state of New York and on the Ohio river, measuring more than 40 feet in circumferance at the height of five feet from the ground. This tree, though generally known by the name of Buttonwood in New England, is called in other places by various other names. In Virginia it is sometimes called Water Beech. At the west it is frequent- ly called Sycamore, or Plane Tree, and in Louisiana and Canada it bears the name of Cotton Tree. The wood of this tree in seasoning, becomes of a dull red color, and is susceptible of a bright polish. It is but little used by cabinet makers, in the form of boards, on account of its lia- bility to warp, but it answers well for bedsteads, and requires only to be polished and varnished, without paint, to make a very neat article.
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