Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Horn-beam

HORN-BEAM, or Carpinus, L. a genus ot plants consisting of five species, one of which is a native of Britain; viz. the Betulus, Common Horn-beam-tree, Hard-beam-tree, Horse or Horn-beech-tree. It grows in woods and hedges; flowers in the month of May.

The horn-beam will thrive on poor, stiff soils, on barren and exposed hills; and, if intended for trees, it is propagated by seed, as soon as it is ripe. It vegetates eighteen months before the plants appear above ground; and the young trees are transplanted at the age of two years, to the spots where they are intended to remain. When designed for hedges and underwood, it is propagated by layers.

The horn-beam is a very valuable tree, and grows to a large size; its leaves afford a grateful food to cattle, but no grasses will flourish under its shade. Its wood is very tough, white, and burns like a candle; it is much employed by turners; is very useful for various implements of husbandry; and is wrought into cogs for the wheels of mills, presses, &c. which are far superior to those made of yew.—The inner bark imparts a permanent yellow colour to yarn.—See also p. 257, Fence.