Wood of the American Black Birch

The wood of our Black birch is by far the finest; and, as it assumes a beautiful rosy color when polished, and is next in texture to the wild Cherry tree, it is considerably esteemed among cabinet-makers in the eastern states, for chairs, tables, and bedsteads. In Europe, the sap of the birch is collected in the spring, in the same manner as that of the maple in this country, boiled with sugar and hops, and fermented with the aid of yeast. The product of the fermentation is called birch wine, and is described as being a remarkably pleasant and healthy beverage.