USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 37
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WHITE ELM. Ulmus Americana.
With the exception of the white pine, we have no free which grows to a greater size, or which appears more graceful and majestic than the White Elin. This tree is found, though not very plentifully, in all parts of the state, and is sometimes scen towering to the height of 100 feet, with a diameter at the base of more than 4 feet. The wood is of a dark brown col- or, and is wrought for several valuable purposes. It is often sawed into planks, and has been considerably used for the naves of wheels. During a part of the year the bark of this tree is very easily detached, and this, after being soaked in
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215
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
Cuar. 7.
THE SLIPPERY EL.M.
THE BUTTERNUT,-THE HICKORY. THE NORWAY PINE.
water and rendered supple by pounding, was formerly much used for bottoming common chairs. For fuel, the elm is in- ferior to several other kinds of wood, but its ashes are strongly impregnated with alkali, and no wood yields a greater quan- tity. The young of the elm is much ad- mired, and much employed as a shade tree around our yards and dwellings, and seems to be preferable to the locust, inas- much as it thrives in all parts of the state, and is not, like the locust, liable to be destroyed by the Borer.
RED, OR SLIPPERY ELM.
Ulmus fulvu.
This tree, though found in most parts of the state, is less abundant than the pre- ceding species, and of less magnitude, sel- dom exceeding 60 feet in height, with a diameter of 2 feet. The wood is of a red- dish color, and is less compact than that of the white elm. It makes excellent and durable rails, into which it is easily split, but this last property renders it unsuita- ble for the naves of wheels. It is, how- ever, said to answer a good purpose for the blocks of pullies. The inner bark of this tree is an important article of materia medlica. Macerated in water it yields a thick and abundant mucilage, which makes a refreshing drink much used in colds, coughs and fevers. The bark, when dried and reduced to flour, is said to make excellent puddings.
BUTTERNUT. Juglans cinerca.
The Butternut is common in most parts . of the state, and is known in some places by the name of Oil-nut, which it derives from the oily nature of its fruit. It thrives best on a dark cold soil, and often measures three or four feet in diameter, although it seldom exceeds 60 feet in height. The roots of the Butternut us- ually extend horizontally, with little vari- ation in size, and but a few inches below the surface of the ground, often to the distance of 30 feet or more, which makes it a troublesome tree, when growing upon or adjacent to lands designed for tillage. The wood of this tree is light, and of a reddish color, and, though it has little strength, it possesses, in a good degree, the property of durability The timber is little used for frames of buildings, but is
sometimes sawed into boards and clap- boards. It is also used for posts in fences, for corn shovels, wooden dishes, tronghs for catching the sap of the sugar maple, and for panels for coaches and chaises. For all these purposes it an- swers well, as it is not liable to split, and receives paint in a superior manner. The extraet of the bark of this tree is used for a cathartie. Its operation is said to be sure, and unattended, in the most delicate constitutions, with pain or irritation.
SHELLBARK HICKORY.
Carga squamosa.
This tree, though no where greatly multiplied, is by no means uncommon, particularly in the neighborhood of lake Champlain. It is usually found on moist lands, and often about swamps and in pla- ces which are liable to be inundated in high water. The wood possesses the characteristic properties of the hickories generally, being very elastie and tena- cious. It also possesses their common defeet of soon decaying and being very liable to be eaten by worms. The wood is straight grained and easily split, and, being also easily wrought when green, is made into ax handles and whip handles, which are much esteemed on account of their smoothness, suppleness and strength.
THIE NORWAY PINE.
Pinus resinosa.
The Norway Pine, though originally plentiful in some places in Vermont, was never so abundant as the following spe- cies,and, though a large and lofty tree, does not equal the white pine in size and height, seldom execeding 3 feet in diameter or 80 feet in height. This tree is often call- ed Red Ping and sometimes Yellow Pine from the color of its bark. The wood is fine-grained, compaet, and on account of the resin it contains much heavier than that of the white pine, and for many pur-
216
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE PINES.
THE SPRUCES.
poses is more valuable. It is employed in | ing species. When sufficiently free from architecture in various ways and is much esteeined for floors in dwelling houses. It is becoming scarce. Leaves in twos.
THIE WHITE PINE. Pinus strobus.
The white pine is much the most lofty tree which grows in our forests and the most valuable for its timber. Dr. Williams states the height of this tree to be 247 feet,* but it is probable that a very few only have obtained that height in Ver- mont. The tallest trees which have fal- len under our own observation have not exceeded 170 feet. While the pine for- ests were standing, trees measuring from 140 to 180 feet were not uncommon, and they have often measured more than 6 feet in diameter at the base.
This species of pine was originally very abundant in all the western parts of the state, particularly in the neighbor- hood of Lake Champlain, and was found in considerable quantities along the bank of the Connecticut and most of our smal- ler rivers. But in consequence of the in- discriminate havoc of our forest trees by the early settlers, and of the common use of this tree for timber, boards and shingles for buildings and other domestic uses, to- gether with the great demand for it, for exportation, our forests of white pine have mostly disappeared, and boards and shingles of good quality are becoming scarce and difficult to be obtained. The leaves are in fives.
THE PITCH PINE. Pinus rigida.
This pine is always found upon light sandy lands and seldom exceeds 50 or 60 feet in height. It is remarkable for the great number of its limbs, which usually occupy two thirds of the trunk and render the wood extremely knotty. A large pro- portion of the trunk consists of sap wood, and for architectural purposes it is much less valuable than either of the preced-
knots it makes firm and durable floors, and for fuel it is much esteemed by. bakers and by glass and brick-makers. From the knots and resinous stocks of this tree lamp black is manufactured. The leaves are in threes.
DOUBLE SPRUCE. Pinus nigra.
This tree is found in all parts of Ver- mont, and is so greatly multiplied on ma- ny of our hills and mountains, as to con- stitute almost entire forests of considera- ble extent. The usual height of this tree is from 60 to 80 feet, with a diameter of from 1} to 2 feet. It seems to prefer a cool gravelly or sandy soil, and is mnost' common npon northern or northwestern declivities. It is found, though of dimin- utive size, on the very summits of our mountains, and to this tree, more than any other, are we indebted for the name of our state, Verd-Mont, it being the most plentiful evergreen upon our mountains. The wood of the Double Spruce is distin- guished for strength, lightness and elasti- city, and is extenively used for frames of houses and other buildings. It is also sawed into boards and clapboards, which, though harder to plane and more liable to split in nailing, are, for many purposes, little inferior to pine, and for some purpos- es are preferred. It likewise makes good shingles. In the interior parts of the state houses, barns and other buildings are very often made entirely of spruce. The young branches of this tree, boiled in water, and the decoction sweetened with molasses or maple sugar, makes what is called spruce beer, which is said, in long sea voyages, to be a sure preventive of the scurvy. The wood is not of inueh value for fuel. It contains little resin, except what exudes and forms concretions in the seams of the bark, and is called spruce gum.
SINGLE SPRUCE.
Pinus alba.
This Spruce is much less plentiful in Vermont than the preceding species, to which, in most respects, it bears a strong resemblance, and is applied to the same uses.
* Hist. Vt. Vol. 1. p. 87. The author of Memoirs of Dr. Wheelock, late president of Dartmouth C'ot lege, states That he measured a white pine which grew on the plain where itat College now stands, and found it 270 feet from the butt to the top. Me- moirs p. 56.
217
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
THE BALSAM FIR.
THE HEMLOCK .- THE LARCH.
THE MOUNTAIN ASII.
THE SILVER, OR BALSAM FIR. Pinus balsamea.
The fir tree flourishes best in a cold, moist, sandy loam, and hence it is most commonly found growing on the north side of our mountains and about the mar- gin of cold springy swamps. It some- times, though rarely, reaches 50 feet in height, and its diameter seldom exceeds 12 or 15 inches. Where this tree stands alone, and developes itself naturally, its branches, which are numerous and thick- ly garnished with leaves, diminish in length in proportion to their height, and thus form a round pyramid or cone of re- - markable regularity and beauty. The wood is very white, but its texture is coarse and open. It is sometimes used for staves in making casks,, and answers well for dry casks, but is not so good for holding liquids. It is also sawn into boards for making boxes, and is used for rafters, joists, &c., in frames. The bal- sam, for which this tree is somewhat cel- ebrated, is obtained from the blisters or tumors on the bark. It may be collected with considerable facility with a teaspoon. For this purpose an incision is made in the lower part of the blister with the point of the spoon, and the pressure re- quired in the operation causes the balsamn to flow into the spoon, from which it is transferred to phials. The balsam is near- ly colorless, has the consistency of honey, and is of an aerid penetrating taste. It is commonly known in this state by the name of fir bulsam, but is said to be sold in many places abroad under the improp- er name of Balm of Gilead. It is of some celebrity as a medicine, particularly in pulmonary complaints and sprains of the chest and stomach, for which it is taken, a few drops at a time, internally. It is also in repute for its healing properties when applied to external wounds and sores.
THE HEMLOCK. Pinus Canadensis.
The Hemlock is found in all parts of the state, and in most parts in abundance. It flourishes best in a sandy loam at the foot of hills and on lands slightly inclin- ing. In such situations the trees are of- ten from three to four feet in diameter.
P.r. I. 23
The size of the body of this tree is nearly uniform for about two thirds of its lengthi. In very old trees the large limbs are of- ten broken off four or five feet from the trunk by the weight of the snows lodged upon them, giving to the trees a decrepid and unsightly aspect. The wood of this tree, though abundant, is unfortunately coarse grained, and inferior to most of the other evergreens for architectural purpo- ses. It is, however, extensively used for frames and joists of buildings, for the tim- bers and planks of bridges, for the floors of barns, for lining boards, lath boards, &c. The logs are used for building dams, wharves and breakwaters, and they are bored and much used for aqueducts. The bark of the hemlock is extensively used in Vermont in tanning leather.
AMERICAN LARCH. Pinus pendula.
This tree is generally known in Ver- mont by the name of Tamarack, but is sometimes called Larch, and sometimes Hackmatack. It seems to delight in a cold wet soil, and in this state it is most commonly met with in cold swamps. In the southern and eastern part of the state this tree is extremely rare, but in the wes- tern and northern parts it is much more common, and in some swamps is found in considerable quantities. A short distance further north, in Canada, it becomes still more abundant. With us this tree sel- doin exceeds 80 or 100 feet in height, with a diameter of about 2 feet; but to the north it attains a greater magnitude, and in the neighborhood of Hudson's Bay it is said to emulate our white pine, rising to the height of nearly 200 feet. This tree sheds its leaves in autumn, though its ap- pearance in summer might lead one to suppose it to be an evergreen. The wood is strong and durable, and makes valua-' ble timber for frames of buildings. It is also used for posts in fences, and for staves of dry casks. Although it snaps considerably, it is much superior to the evergreens for fuel.
MOUNTAIN ASII, On MOOSEMISSA. Sorbus Americanu. This beautiful little tree is very com-
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218
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE CEDARS.
HOOP ASH.
SHIADE TREES.
mon upon our hills and mountains, and high, and their growth is so very slow by transplanting is found to thrive well that there seems to be little -prospect of a supply by reproduction. in all parts of the state. It seldomn ex- ceeds 25 feet in height, or 4 or 5 inches in diameter. It is generally known by the name of Mountain Ash, but is not un- frequently called Moosemissa. No use is made of the wood, but the bark affords an agreeable bitter, and is considerably used as a tonic. But this tree is chiefly valued as an ornamental shade tree, and its beau- tiful white blossoms, its pinnated globrous leaves, and bunches of red berries, which remain upon the tree during the winter, make it much admired for that purpose.
WHITE CEDAR, OR ARBOR VITAE. Thuya occidentalis.
This tree is found growing only in swamps, and along the rocky banks of streams and ponds, and is universally known in Vermont by the name of White Cedar. It was originally very abundant in the northern and western parts of the state, and is still found in many places in considerable quantities. The wood of this tree is nearly white, with a slight tinge of' red. It is very light, soft, fine-grained and somewhat odorous. For durability it ranks next, among our forest trees, to the red cedar, and is extensively used for posts and rails for fences.
RED CEDAR .* Juniperus Virginiana.
Red Cedar formerly existed in some quantities along the banks and islands of lake Champlain, but on account of the ea- gerness with which it has been sought for posts and other purposes, it has now become exceedingly searce. Trees were formerly found 30 or 40 feet in height and 10 or 12 inches in diameter, but few now remain which are more than 10 or 12 feet
The perfect wood of this tree is of a bright reddish tint and hence it is called Red cedar. The wood is compact, fine grained and very light, though heavier and stronger than the White cedar. It contains an essential oil, which exhales considerable odor, and which serves as a protection both against insects and mois- ture. The recent chips and splinters of this wood are often placed in drawers with woollen cloths and beneath carpets, and they are found to be a very sure pro- tection against moths. The wood is also much used in making black lead pencils. But the quality which renders the Red ce- dar most valuable is its durability ; and for this it excels every other wood found in the state. There are red cedar posts which have been standing in the common fences in Burlington and other places for 50 years, and which are now, excepting the mere surface, as sound as when set. These are eagerly sought out and prefer- red to new posts of any other kind, for fences, where great durability is desired.
HOOP ASH, OR HACKBERRY. Celtis occidentalis.
This tree is found very sparingly in Verinont. In favorable situations, at the south and southwest, it grows to the height of 70 or 80 feet, and with the disproportional diameter of not more than 18 or 20 inches. The wood is neith- er strong nor durable, but,where plenti- ful, as it is easily split, it is much em- ployed for the rails of rural fences.
For some notice of the Northern Cork Elin, Ulmus racemosa, and the Poplars, see page 174.
Shade Trees. There are few if any of the forest trees which we have described, which are not more or less employed for shade, or ornament, abont our yards and dwellings ; but there are some which seem to be much more snit .. ble than oth- ers for this purpose. Among these are the sugar maple, the ehn, and the moose- missa, or mountain ash. To the growth of these, the soil and climate of most parts of the state are well suited, and they are all transplanted without difficulty. The larch too makes a beautiful shade tree, and so do several of our evergreens ; but their transplanting is attended with much more difficulty. The best time for trans- planting trees generally is believed to be
* Our cut was made fromn a young villous branch, which diffors materially from that of the old tree.
219
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
FRUIT TREES. Y
APPLE.
in the spring, just before the appearance | few years past much more attention has of the leaves.
Besides the native forest trees which have been used for shade and ornament, several exotics have been introduced for the same purposes. A little more than 30 years ago the Lombardy poplar, populus dilatata, was brought into the state, and was, for a time, extensively propagated, and much admired. Its growth was ex- tremely rapid, and the appearance of the young tree was very pretty, but it was soon found that these were its only recon- mendations, which were more than coun- terbalanced by several positive objections. The wood was found to be soft and brit- tle, and nearly useless for fuel or any other purposes. As the barren and fertile flowers of this poplar grow on separate trees, and as none but trees bearing bar- ren flowers have been introduced into this country, no seed is brought to perfec- tion, and being propagated wholly by shoots, its growth, though rapid, was soon found to be feeble and sickly. Before the trees attained any considerable magni- tude, the top branches wonld begin to die and fall off, rendering them unsightly, and giving them, while young, the ap- pearance of decrepitnde and decay, and littering the grounds and walks with limbs and rubbish. These circumstances, and the disgusting worms bred among their foliage, gradually lessened them in the public estimation, and for many years past no pains have been taken to propa- gate them. Many of the old trees have been cut down, and those which remain are generally in a decaying, dilapidated con- dition, and the prospect now is that they will, in a few years, become extinct.
The locust tree, Robinia pseudo-acacia, is one of our most beautiful and agreeable shade trees, and is very much prized, par- ticularly in the western part of the state. It thrives best on the light, warm soil, which was originally covered with forests of white pine, but either the soil or the climate of our mountain towns is unfa- vorable to its growth ; and hence it is not often met with in the central parts of the state. Fears are now entertained that all our locust trees will be destroyed by the Borer.
Fruit Trees. For many years after the settlement of this state was cominenced, very little attention was paid to the culti- vation of fruit trees. Apple orchards, it is true, were early planted in many places, and in some cases a few plumbs, cherries and perhaps pears, but they were gener- ally suffered to produce their natural fruit, and very little effort was made to improve it by pruning and cultivation. But for a | are few countries which are capable of
been given to this subject, and many choice varieties of these fruits have been introduced and extensively propagated by grafting and budding.
APPLE. Pyrus malus .-- This is our most important and abundant fruit, and is found to flourish in all parts of the state. In the older parts the orchards became very extensive, the tree's large, and im- mense quantities of apples were produced. These were mostly manufactured into ci- der, in consequence of which much more cider was made than could well be con- sumned, in its crude state, even when it was customary for all to drink it as free- ly, or more so, thar. water, and the price abroad did not warrant the expense of transportation. Distillation was therefore resorted to, and large quantities of cider brandy were manufactured. The farmers generally having large orchards could each make, without inconvenience, from half a barrel to two or three barrels of this liquor, and when they had it in their hon- ses, as it did not seem to have cost them much, they felt themselves at liberty to use it very freely ; and to this single cir- cumstance may be traced the temporal and perhaps everlasting ruin of many of our previously thrifty farmers. This cause of ruin and misery was in the full tide of operation when the first general move- ment was made in New England on the subject of temperance.
But after the spell was broken, which had so long bound down all our people to the use, or acquiescence in the use, of distilled spirits, and it was perceived that these liquors were not only unnecessary, but hurtful as a common drink, our far- mers began to perceive that those large portions of their lands which were cover- ed with apple orchards were not only yielding them no profit, but that which, under their present management, was do- ing them a real injury. From this time many endeavored to turn their apples to a better account, by feeding them to their cattle, and hogs, and horses, and for these purposes they were found to be valuable, but caution was necessary, that they should not be fed in too large quantities at a time, especially when the fruit was hard and sour. Many, whose orchards were extensive, cut down large portions of them, that the lands might be more profitably employed in the production of something else. At present our people appear more anxious to improve their fruit by grafting or inoculating choice varie- ties upon the trees they already have, than to enlarge their orchards ; and their
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220
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PARTS.
THE PEAR AND CRAB APPLE.
NUTS.
BERRIES.
producing a greater variety of fine apples | siderable variety of berries, both wild and than Vermont.
The Pear Tree does not grow so well in the northern and central mountainons parts of the state, but it flourishes in the southeastern and western parts, where many choice varieties are cultivated and bear well. A few Quinces and Peaches are raised, but very little attention has been paid to their cultivation. That as good peaches may be raised in Vermont as in any other place, we think will hardly be disputed by any who ate of those which grew in our own garden in Burlington during the past and present year. Our remarks respecting the pear tree will ap- ply also to the Plum. In the northern parts of the state, the native, or Canada Plum is much enltivated. It bears plen- tifully, and the fruit is tolerable. Our plum trees generally are very uncertain bearers. After bearing profusely one year they often pass several years without pro- ducing any fruit. Cherries flourish well, and several varieties are cultivated.
The Siberian Crab Apple is cultivated in the northern parts of the state, where it flourishes well, and bears abundantly. With sugar this fruit makes an excellent marmalade.
Nuts. These are the walnut, chestnut, butternut, beech-nut, oak-nut or acorn, and hazle-nut. Of walnuts we have three kinds, but the pignuts are much the most common. The shell bark hickory is found in some parts, but is not very nbundant. The chestnut thrives only in the southern part of the state. Butter- nuts are common in most parts, and some years they are produced in very great abundance. It is esteemed a luxury by many, and in plentiful years large quan- tities are gathered and dried. See page 215. The beechnut is the most plentiful nut found in the state, and it abounds in all parts. When the country was new the early settlers depended principally upon this nut for fattening their hogs. But it was in many places as necessary that they should be attended by a guard to protect them against the original proprie- tors, the bears, as it was that the first settlers should be guarded against the attacks of the Indians. See page 212. The hazlenut grows on a shrub four or five feet high ; and, though quite common, but little account is made of it. The above are all indigenous, and grow in a wild state without cultivation. Acorns too were formerly plentiful in many parts of the state, and these, like the beeclinut, were for swine and bears a favorite arti- cle of food.
Berrics. Vermont produces a very con- 1
cultivated, and many of them are highly serviceable, not only for desserts, but as articles of food. One of the most impor- tant of these is the currant, of which we have four species. Of these the red, white, and black currant are largely cul- tivated in gardens, but the two former are most esteemed, and are much eaten, stewed or made into pies when green; and when ripe they are eaten raw, or in pies, or are preserved in sugar, and their juice mixed with clean sugar at the rate of one pound of the latter to a pint of the former, and boiled from 15 to 20 minutes in a tin or brass kettle, makes an exquis- ite jell, which may be kept in glass ves. sels for years without difficulty. The black currant has a peculiar musky taste and odor, and, though liked by some, is not so generally esteemed. Black cur- rants are found in a wild state in our for- ests, and red currants are also found growing wild upon our mountains, the taste of which is much less agreeable than that cultivated in gardens.
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