Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/448

424] !—The loud complaints of the poor have lately excited general attention; we have, therefore, mentioned these few circumstances, to induce the benevolent to bestow serious considerations on the subject, so that some measures may be devised for preventing such accumulated misery.  . See.  POPLAR, or Populus, L. a genus of trees comprising 13 species, of which the following are the principal, and the three first are natives of Britain:

1. The alba,, or , grows in hedges and brooks, where it flowers in the month of March.—It delights in gravelly soils and lofty situations, though it also thrives in clay-lands.—This tree is remarkable for its speedy growth; as it attains its full size in 20 years; being, however, subject to excrescences resembling warts, that sometimes become exceedingly large: and, as they absorb humidity, occasion the tree to decay. Its wood is white, soft, though tough, and neither exposed to the ravages of worms, nor subject to warp or shrink: hence it is advantageously employed for wainscotting and floors; as well as for packing-boxes, laths, and turnery-wares.—The bark of the white poplar, according to the Rev. Mr. (Phil. Transac. vol. 53), is eminently serviceable in curing agues. He gathered it in the summer, while abounding with sap; and, after drying it in a gentle heat, he administered one dram, in powder, every fourth hour, between the paroxysms. In some instances, he was induced to combine it with the ; but, in general, the former alone proved singularly efficacious.—The dried leaves in the winter afford excellent provender for sheep.

2. The tremula,, , or , flourishes best in moist woods and boggy grounds, though it will thrive in all other soils, excepting clays: it is in flower during the months of March and April. This species impoverishes the land: its leaves destroy the grass, and the numerous shoots that spring from the roots, spread so near to the surface of the ground, as to prevent the vegetation of every other plant. The leaves are eaten by sheep and goats, but refused by horses and hogs:—the bark, when young, is made into torches. The wood is extremely light, smooth, white, soft, and durable in the air; and though inferior in point of excellence to that of the preceding species, it is usefully employed for pannels or pack-saddles, milk-pails, clogs, pattens, &c.—From the straight stems of this tree, the most durable shingles are obtained; and observes, that bricks burnt with such wood, in a green state, acquire a biueish glazing, and additional firmness. Nor is it less excellent for water-pipes; for which purpose it should be felled from April to June, immediately bored, and laid under-ground. It is, however, remarkable, that the wood of the trembling poplar is very liable to be infested with bugs; and consequently improper for bedsteads.

3. The nigra, or, grows very rapidly near rivers, and in shady, moist situations: it flowers in the month of March. The wood of this species is soft, light, and not apt to splinter. Its bark