The weekly union record., 1864-03-05
l'HB union RECORD.
THE FOREST.

metto is native of the south, and will
not flourish in any other climate. IT.
requires soft and fertile soil, is of
swift growth, and needs for its full per
lection moist, malarious atmosphere.
Its leaves, when young, represent still
ettos, and when aged, sharp swords.
They are, however, valueless for food
for any living thing and are merely
dlsagreeable as weapons of defense.
The trunk Of the Palmetto is too short
for forest tree, and yet it presents far
from an unpleasant appearance. The
nature of the wood is too spongy char
acter to make it valuable for building
purposes, or other mechanical uses.
The BAMBOO TREE-The great reed
called the bamboo, shoots up conside-
rable number of canes from the same
bottom, which are nearly the thickness
of mans thigh, and grow to the hight
OF fifty and eighty feet. The leaves
are small, narrow and pointed, spring
ing from the knots. The trees wave
ind the wind, presenting very elegant
feathery appearance. The pith of the
young shoots, which is of white color,
makes an elegant pickle, of as soft
conolstence as beet root,it is indigenous
to Chica and India. The materials of
which the natives build their houses, is
always easy to be procured, and the
structure is so simple that a spacious,
and by no means uncomfortable dwell
ling, suited to the climate, may be
erected in one day. Bamboo grass for
matching, and the ground rattan, are
all the materials required, not a nail is
Used in the whole edifce. Strong bam-
BOO, in row of from eight to ten feet
high, are fixed firm in the ground, which
describes the outlines and are the sup
oorters of the building. smaller bam
ooos are then tied horizontally, by
strips of the ground rattan, to these
lpright posts. The walls, composed
If bamboo mats, are fastened to the
ldes with similar ligatures.
Bamboo. .rafters are quickly raised,
md roof formed, over which thack
$ quickly spread in regular layers, and
)ound to the roof with ligaments of rat
an. A floor of bamboo grating is next
aid IN the inside, elevated two or three
eet above the ground. This grating
5 supported on bamboo, and covered
nth mats and carpets. Thus ends
he process, which is not more simple
han it is effective.
When the workmen take pains, a
ouse of this sort is proof against any
lclement weather, and if tempest
hould blow down honse, the inhabi-
ants would run no risk of having their
rains knocked out or their bones bro
en-, the fall of the whole cabin would
OF crush lady's lap dog.
The bamboo bears neither blossom
or fruit, but is propogated by suckers.
! windy and dry weather their friction
hlle waving often causes them to take
re, occasioning the hills on which they
row to assume beautiful appearance
night. In the hands of the Chinese
may almost be denominated a uni
ersal material; for they perform with
operations the most varied and dis
milar. This reed in its entire state
formed into stools, chairs, tables, bed
eads, and many other articles of fur
ture. 1t supplies scafolds for build
g, masts and yards for shipping, carts
ld wheelbarrows for husbandry, wheels
Id tubes for irrigation; split into laths
beaten into fbres, it forms screens
+ ornaments, and ropes, cords and
vine for all purposes from the rigging
ship to the wick of candle. Wo- |
N 1t becomes sailcloth or sacking.
accerated into a pulp, it is made into
'per, and mixed up with lime it serves
caulk their ships. By simply tying
gether three or four Of these reeds, |
trimming jackets are constructed, cap
Die OF supporting one or more persons.
hen young it affords nutritiye arti
e of diet, when growing, it is fence
r their gardens and fields, protection
r their cottages and an ornament for
cir palaces. 1t is the weapon of JUS
,e and the instrument of ofoppressian-
pportihg equally the authority of the
andarin and the arrogance of the pet
officials.
The leaves are generally put round
tea sent to Europe and America.
ne thick juice is favorite medicine
here are about fifty varieties, and it
of the most rapid growth, rising fifty
eighty feet the first yearl and in the
cond perfectine its timber in hardness