Agricultural.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2274, 5 February 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Agricultural.

TREES FOR PLANTATIONS

The Alder.

Tiik alder, as its nauie indicates, is essentially a riverside tree, iiud although in itn ornamental character it cannot be compared with the birch, it could often with advantage be substituted for the willow, or selected in connection with it. The willow iu its maiden form is very commonly highly ornamental by the waterside, but the great danger of its use is thiit it will sooner cir later be pollarded, and its beauty destroyed. This is hardly likely to occur with the alder, as when it is cut down a mere stool is left, and the now growth will spring from nearly the ground level. In this way it is most generally cultivated. This, however, is not usually the common species (Alims dutinosa), but the cut-leaved tree (Ainu* glutinosu, laciuiatu). Some writers assign the alder to a position in a marsh or a bog, or some place where it cannot be seen. Whether grown as a tree, or cut down periodically as poles, the Alder is certainly nothing to lie ashamed of. The value of the roots of the Alder in binding up the banks of rivers has often been referred to, and there is no doubt tbatiu many cases they are very useful for this purpose. As all know who have wended their way much along by the riverside, it is very common to find spots which are of no use for culture or for pasture, and where, from a bend or some other cause, the action of the water is gradually widening the channel by washing away its banks. It would be absurd to suppose that the planting of the Alder, or any other tree, would entirely prevent this ; but it is certain that when the roots become thoroughly established they will do much towards holding the soil above the waterline, which would otherwise, from being undermined, be continually falling away. The Alder, for its class, is a very useful wood. According to old writers, it has a quality which appears to be but little regarded at the present day, viz., that of enduring a long time under water or in moisture. It is staled that in the past it has been considerably used for piles. Whatever it may be worth in this direction, it is more likely to be used for small works of a private nature than in anything where material would have to be brought on the market. The Alder has been suggested as a suitable wood to cultivate for pit and mining props. In the districts in England, where they are required, Alder of a suitable size is sometimes prepared for Hop poles, but on the whole it is more the wood for the turner than for any other handicraftsman. The smaller wood in the turning industry goes for bobbins, of which vast quantities in the shape of cotton reels and similar articles are annually consumed. Another use of a similar nature is the manufacture of brush backs. The toy broom of the drawing , room and the scrubbing broom of the scullery are alike prepared from this wood. Another use of the Alder is the manufacture of clog soles, and for the soles of pattens. For charcoal burning the Alder is regarded as of considerable value, and in some districts the better portions of the wood are turned to account for the staves of dry cask*. As it has been stated the wood is more generality grown in the form of poles than in that of timber, so the majority of the manufactures from it consists of small articles. Where the tree grows to what may be regarded as a timber size, the uses to which the Willow and the Poplar are generally put would as nearly as anything represent what may be ventured upon with the Alder. It is a wood which is spoken of as being used for wheelwright's work, such as the lining of carts and waggons, and for work where a soft and non-splittinsr material is essential.