The blue ash is common on the rich river lands along the principal tributaries of the Mis sissippi. Some of the finest specimens grow on the limestone hills of the Smoky Mountains. It is a tall, graceful, grey-stemmed ash. We shall know it anywhere as an ash tree by its opposite twigs and leaves, and by its dart-like fruits. It differs from all other ash trees in having four-angled twigs. The tree has a kind of blue dye in its inner bark. Cut out a piece and put it in water, and it is as if you had added a few grains of indigo.
The blue ash ranks high as a shade tree, and its wood is quite the equal of white ash. It is used for vehicles, for flooring, and for tool handles. It is especially desired for pitchfork handles.
The native ash of Europe is a large timber tree, whose range extends through Asia Minor. The wood of this tree had a wonderful reputa tion for general usefulness. Its tough, thin inner bark was used to write on before paper was invented. The wood was used for lances and spears, for bows, pikes, and shields by the soldiers, during ancient times. Every tool, ve hicle, and implement of the farmer and mechanic were made of this wood. " Every prudent lord
of a manor should employ one acre of ground with ash to every twenty acres of other land. In as many years it would be worth more than the land itself." The seeds of ash trees were used for fattening pigs. They were also used as remedies for many diseases. They were called birds' tongues, from their shape, and every apothecary kept a stock of them. Ash wood makes the best of fuel, and its ashes, rich in potash, make a splendid fertil iser, especially in orchards.
One warning the old English rhyme offers re garding this tree. It is supposed to attract lightning. Oaks have the same reputation. On the other hand, tradition holds that a beech tree is never struck by lightning. There is oppor tunity, where these trees grow, and where thun derstorms frequent, to notice how true are the popular beliefs.
Have you ever been warned by this old rhyme? " Beware of the oak, it draws the stroke; Avoid the ash, it courts the flash; Creep under the thorn—it will save you from harm."