Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-09
NATURAL HISTORY.

An interesting meeting OF the Natural
History Society was held Monday night
in its rooms at Fourth and West streets.
Some plants obtained on the recent
field excursion were displayed and dis.
cussed and pollen OF the birch tree
examined under the microscope. 1t
was suggested that it would be we'll to
take some measures to protect our finest
wild flowers, such rs arbutus and
hepatica, which are becoming very
rare. A photograph was shown Of
group of sassafras trees Of remarkable
size growing in Middletown township,
Delaware county, Pa. At distance
of two feet from the ground they ranged
from IL feet 8 inches and u feet D
inches to 10 feet . inches 10 circum.
ference. Prof. Chester CT Newark
College displayed sections of pear trees
that we're suffering from oanker, a
chronic disease that is destroying many
Eear orchards 10 the State; also apple
and ounce trees. 1t is a fungus
growth and the cracked appearance If
the bark shows it's existence. Attempts
are being made to overcome it by
scraping the bark, which stimu ates
now growth and kills the fungus. If
trees were kept protected by netting
during the hlossoiuing season they could
be preserved from pear blight.
Mr.. George Hardeastle made some
Embellishments about the destruction
of timber trees and illustrated his talk
with samples Ut the woods mentioned.
He said wheh this country wss first
settled it was as we'll wooded as a
country could be, yet already avai liable
timber 10 nearly exhausted. White
pima has receded to its last stronghold
in Michigan and soon will be used up.
The price, which has doubled, indI-
Gates the scarcity. Hemlock is being
cleared away and black walnut, once
used so lavishly, is now 30 scarce that
II has gone up 80 or 10 per cent in price
and it Is almost out Of the question to
buy the best quality at any price, SO
recourse is had to using 1t as a veneer,
instead Of solid work. Oak suitable
for quartering has gone up 81 per cent,
yet furniture is now sold often for less
than the wood can be bought for. The
Only explanation must be- that the
lumber of which 1t is made was stolen
nnd'it ia put together without mortic-
ing, 40 Ii soon warps apart and is rele-
gated to the garrett whence the we'll
made furniture Of our grandmothers
emerges 10 take its place.
We shall soon have to resort tu
foreign woods to take the place OF those
destroyed. Mahogany and teak are
already extensively used. Besldss gu,
reckless clearing there is great de.
struution by forest fires. Then the
railroads consume much lumber fol
ties. In Europe they have watts filled
with creosote and 10 this the ties are
saturated and last much longer. Paper
making destroys the spruce. One issue
of New York Sunday paper uses VI
acres Of spruce; So, 600, 600 feet of white
birch go for cotton spools and %, 600, 00(
feet have been shipped to Scotland fol
this purpose. Why should not the ole
spools be bought up aud used sgain
Our gum trees are turned into peaot
baskets and strawberry boxes. usec
once, then destroyed. Birch is alst
used for -four barrels. In Europe the,
do not use barrels but bags for flou
and they are used. again and again. w,
may yet be forced to use economy il
this country. Much wood is used TO
furniture, but We ought to have bette
furniture and less of it, better il
design and Workmanship like much
hut not all Of the old furniture nov
being brought out again. Would it no
be we'll to begin with the ohildrel
in kindergarten and teach them +
venerate and protect trees instead O
tearing off their limbs as we may SO
them do any day in the parks an
answer any remonstrauce with lis thi
your parkY"
1t was suggested it might be we'll /
take up the study of mycology /
the early fall when mushrooms ar
abundant. A. s,