The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-08
FREAKS IN THE FORESTS.
Trees That Emit Sounds and Possess
Curious Properties


Nature does not invariably do her work
with mathematical precision. She is at
times apparently in freakish mood and
tries TO produce something out OF the con-
mon. She is frequently given 10 the pro-
duction OF mammoths, and IN no other di-
rection oftener than in trees.
Tho largest orange tree in the south
Grows in Terre Bonnie Parish. Louisiana,
and is 80 fest hish and Il feet in circum-
ference at the base. II has often yielded
10000 oranges in season.
The largest apple tree il the State of
New York is an old giant standing near
the town OF Wilson. 1t was planted in
1915. and its highest yield was thirty three
barrels Of apples in q single season.
California 10 known as the land Of won
derfal trees." and Mariposa Grove is
known far aud wide as the "big tree eoun-
try. -'Wawons." sometimes called the
tunnel tree" has a roadway cut through
the solid heart The tunnel Is = feet
through 10 feet high. and 10 feet wide
The cypress IN ancient times was con-
sidered a sacred tree and idols were made
OF cypress wood The Pacific Coast In ,
dams used il as an emblem OF puriica-
tion. The Dakotan indians had super
stition concerning The cedar tree They
imagined that thunder was a manifesto
ton OF tie storm god Wa-Kan-Da. thun-
der birds as his messengers producing the
noIsa designated as thunder. These birds
lived in cedar trees and hence the cedar
became an object Of worship.
Georgia has a Quiyering tree, so called
because every limb, large and small. on
the tree trembles in fear or as a suffer-
ing animal would culver, and this &C
ours when not a breath OF air is stirring.
Newton. y. c., has a smoking tree.
about eight years old. with a bushy tep
and many lateral branches. Puts Of
smoke, identical in appearance with cigar
cite smoke, are seen starting every now
and then from all over the tree; some
times from the bark OF the limb or trunk.
The musical or whistling tree is a native
OF the West Indies. Nubia. and the Soudan.
II possesses a peculiar shaped leaf and
pods with a split or broken edge. The
wind passing through these causes the
sound which gives to the tree the name of
whistler" In Barbados. there is a val
ley iled with trees of this character. and
wheI the trade winds blow across the ISL
ands . constant moaning. deep-toned whis-
tie is heard from it,
In Central America has been found the
electric light tree. the milk tree and the
bread tree. The electric light tree gives
a light so strong that a person can read
or write by it at night. The milk tree
has a thick. tough skin that can be used
for half-soling shoes. To milk the tree a
hole is bored in the trunk: then il lets
down sap as white and as sweet as any
ever MIXED from a cow The bread tree
has a solid fruit. a little larger than q
eoeoanut, which, when cut into slices and
cooked, can scarcely be distinguished from
excellent bread.
An electrical tree has been discovered y.
India. It's leaves are so highly charged
with electricity that whenever che is
touched the individual investigating re-
cetves a shock that almost knocks him
down. Even upon the magnetic needle
this tree. which has been given the name
Of philotcea electrical, has a strong inflc-
ence. causing magnetic variations CT a dis
lance of seventy feet. The electrical
strength of the tree varies according 70
the time OF day, being most powerful a;
noon
tree has recently been discovered in
Africa which yields butter Though by no
means as good as that churned from cream.
it can be made somewhat similar in taste
by sailing. By heating with a solution OF
potash or soda it is easily made into soap.
The iron tree, first found by the we'll
known naturalist OF Bavaria. Professor
! Schelwisch, is a native of Africa The
leaves, although very thin, are bent With
| great difficulty, and in order to secure one
! ii is necessary to use a file. 1t is said
| that the tree is a great metal eater, eager
| ly devouring any metal its roots might
| come in contact with. II changes its
color to the color Of the metal last alb.
| sorbed.
/ The Canary Islands have a weeping tree
and il is wet even in a drought, constantly
| distilling water in its leaves
Sicily grows an ash in which the sar
| hardens into sugar. similar to the sap o.
| the American sugar. maple, and is USED
| for sweeteing purposes by the native.
| without any refining.