ASCITES. Dropsy of the belly.
ASH. The ash (Frazinus Americana) con thins five well known species: White Ash, Blue Ash, Black Ash, Red Ash and Green Ash. They occupy an important rank as timber trees of value, and thrive on a variety of soils—a cool deep moist soil being congenial to the most of the species. White Ash will thrive on rather poor soil. Blue Ash is found on rich river bot toms. Black Ash grows in swamps. Red Ash on river banks, and other rich soils, like the White Ash. The same situation suits the Green Ash. A European species (F excelsior) has- been introduced. but is inferior to our White and Blue Ash. The Acuba-leaved Ash is one of the most ornamental varieties. The cut, page 72, shows leaves one quarter the natural size. The White Ash is quite commonly known as the American Ash. Of it Arthur Bryant, Sr., says: Branchlets and petioles, smooth; leaflets, seven to nine, ovate or lance-oblong, pointed, pale, smooth or pubescent underneath, somewhat toothed or entire; fruit, terete, and marginless below; above, extended into a lanceolate, oblan ceolate, or wedge linear wing. Among the Amer ican species of ash, the White Ash is one of the most valuable and worthy of culture, for the qual ities of its wood and the rapidity of its growth. When full grown, it is one of the largest trees of our forests. I well recollect trees, in Western Mass achusetts, three feet in diameter, with a straight shaft free from branches to the height of forty feet or more, •but such are no longer to be found in the thickly settled parts of the country. The largest ash tree I ever met with was one near my native place, which was felled more than forty years since for the manufacture of scythe spathes. The trunk was five feet in diameter, and per fectly sound. The tree was not lofty, the top having been broken off by a tornado many years before. The White Ash abounds in the Provinces of the Domin ion, in most parts of New Eng land, New York, and the north ern States generallybut is fast becoming scarce. It'is common, but not abundant, in Northern Illinois and Iowa, and becomes less frequent in proceeding southward. A cold climate appears to suit it best. I have never met with very large trees of the ash in the vicinity of the prairies of Illinois and Iowa, although the soil is well suited to its growth; but this may readily be accounted for from the fact that it is one of the trees most easily destroyed by the fires.
which annually ravaged these tries previous to their settlement. I have been informed that in ern Kansas the White Ash is small, crooked, and worthless for any pose except fuel. The White Ash will not thrive in very Poor, dry lands. A cool, deep, moist soil seems most congenial to its growth. The trees which have grown most rapidly afford the best timber; that taken from stunted, slow-growing trees, is comparatively weak and brittle. The prairie soils of Iowa and Northern and Central Illinois are well adapted to the growth of the White Ash. Other species would, perhaps, be of more value further south. Besides its employment in the manufacture of agricultural implements, ash timber is extensively used in the tion of carriages and furniture. It is esteemed for pre-wood. The ply is fast diminishing, and the mand increasing, and those who pose to engage in tree planting can not be too soon in taking measures to meet it. The American species of ash are dicecious, that is, the fertile and barren flowers are on different trees. Seed is produced by White Ash trees which grow in open ground. The seed are ripe by the first of October, and with the first sharp frosts. If sown in the fall, it should be thinly covered with earth, and straw or litter laid over it to prevent it from being washed out by heavy rains. • The litter must be taken off in spring. If to be sown in spring, it should be mixed with moderately damp sand. If kept dry through the winter it is not likely to vegetate. The White Ash bears transplanting well, even when of con siderable size. It is a handsome ornamental tree, and is rarely attacked by insects. The only exception I know of is the May-bug (Lachnosterna fusel), which sometimes devours the leaves early in the summer. The Mountain Ash is not an ash, but belongs to the apple (Pyrus) family. It is one of the most ornamental of our small trees, with its peculiar ash-like foliage, white flowers and its handsome red berries. The American species is Pyrus Amer icana, and the European species, P. aucuparia, also called Rowan Tree. The Mountain Ash scarcely requires pruning and never grows unshapely. The American Mount ain Ash is sometimes used as a stock upon which to graft the apple, but can not be recom mended.