We make little Use thereof, save for Fire-Wood.
'Tis not a durable Timber. It affords a very sweet Nut,
yet the Pork fed thereon (tho' sweet) is very oily, and ought to be
harden'd with Indian Corn, before it is kill'd. {Buck Beech.}
Another sort call'd Buck-Beech is here found.
{Horn-Beam.}
Horn-Beam grows, in some Places, very plentifully; yet the Plenty
of other Wood makes it unregarded.
{Sassafras.}
The Vertues of Sassafras are well known in Europe. This Wood
sometimes grows to be above two Foot over, and is very durable and lasting,
used for Bowls, Timbers, Posts for Houses, and other Things that require
standing in the Ground. 'Tis very light. It bears a white Flower,
which is very cleansing to the Blood, being eaten in the Spring,
with other Sallating. The Berry, when ripe, is black; 'tis very oily,
Carminative, and extremely prevalent in Clysters for the Colick.
The Bark of the Root is a Specifick to those afflicted with the Gripes.
The same in Powder, and a Lotion made thereof, is much used by the Savages,
to mundify old Ulcers, and for several other Uses; being highly esteem'd
among them.
{Dog-wood.}
Dog-Wood is plentiful on our light Land, inclining to a rich Soil.
It flowers the first in the Woods; its white Blossom making the Forest
very beautiful. It has a fine Grain, and serves for several Uses
within doors; but is not durable. The Bark of this Root infused,
is held an infallible Remedy against the Worms.
{Laurel.}
Laurel, before-mention'd; as to its Bigness and Use, I have seen Planks
sawn of this Wood; but 'tis not found durable in the Weather;
yet pretty enough for many other Uses.
Bay and Laurel generally delight in a low, swampy Ground. I know no Use
they make of them, but for Fire-Wood, excepting what I spoke of before,
amongst the Ever-Greens.
{Ever-green.}
A famous Ever-Green I must now mention, which was forgotten amongst the rest.
It is in Leaf like a Jessamine, but larger, and of a harder Nature.
This grows up to a large Vine, and twists itself round the Trees
it grows near, making a very fine Shade. I never saw any thing of that Nature
outdo it, and if it be cut away close to the Ground, it will presently
spring up again, it being impossible to destroy it, when once it has got Root.
'Tis an ornamental Plant, and worth the Transplanting. Its Seed
is a black Berry.
{Trumpet-Vine.}
The Scarlet Trumpet-Vine bears a glorious red Flower, like a Bell, or Trumpet,
and makes a Shade inferiour to none that I ever saw; yet it leaves us,
when the Winter comes, and remains naked till the next Spring.
It bears a large Cod, that holds its Seed.
{Maycock.}
The Maycock bears a glorious Flower, and Apple of an agreeable Sweet,
mixt with an acid Taste.
