15
abundantly in the middle district. It is a most valuable wood, being very compact, durable, free from attacks of insects, of a very fine dark brown color, and capable of a high polish. It is the most popular and universally used cabinet wood in the United States, but is so common in the middle and western sections of this State that large farms are fenced with it.
The Chestnut, (Castanea vesca,) is one of our largest forest trees, sometimes 10 feet in diameter and SO to 90 feet high, found mostly and abundantly in the Piedmont and mountain regions of the State, where it is much esteemed and used for fencing on account of its great durability and facility of working. It is also valued for its abundant crop of fruit, which, with the acorns of the oaks, is the principal dependence of the hog-raisers of the mountain counties.
Poplar, (Liriodendron tulipifera,) is one of the largest and handsomest of our forest trees, and occurs in all parts of the State, attaining its greatest size in the mountains. It is much used for building and other domestic purposes as a substitute for pine, combining lightness and facility of working with rigidity and durability.
Cypress, (Taxodium distichum,) abounds in the swamps and lowlands of the east, forming the almost exclusive growth of several thousand square miles of territory. It grows to a great size, the wood is very light, durable and much used for the manufacture of shingles, which are exported in immense numbers to all the Northern Atlantic ports. It is also used for building purposes, and for staves and telegraph poles, water vessels, &c.
Juniper, or White Cedar, (Cupressus thyoides,) is found in the same region "though not so abundant, and is used for the same purposes as the cypress, especially for shingles and cooper work, for which it is even preferred to the latter.
Besides these are the Maple, (6 species,) Birch, (3 species,) Beech, Ash, (4 species,) Poplar, (3 species,) Elm, (3 species,) Mulberry, Sassafras, Gum, (4 species,) Dogwood, Persimmon