d which was in cultivation before the Civil War, but
which during the subsequent period of industrial depression was
abandoned and allowed to revert to forest. These old fields now mostly
covered with second-growth forest, of which red gum forms an
important part (see Fig. 12). Frequently over fifty per cent of the
stand consists of this species, but more often, and especially on the
Atlantic coast, the greater part is of cottonwood or ash. These stands
are very dense, and the growth is extremely rapid. Small stands of
young growth are also often found along the edges of cultivated
fields. In the Mississippi Valley the abandoned fields on which young
stands have sprung up are for the most part being rapidly cleared
again. The second growth here is considered of little value in
comparison with the value of the land for agricultural purposes. In
many cases, however, the farm value of the land is not at present
sufficient to make it profitable to clear it, unless the timber cut
will at least pay for the operation. There is considerable land upon
which the second growth will become valuable timber within a few
years. Such land should not be cleared until it is possible to utilize
the timber.

=39. Tupelo Gum= (_Nyssa aquatica_) (Bay Poplar, Swamp Poplar, Cotton
Gum, Hazel Pine, Circassian Walnut, Pepperidge, Nyssa). The close
similarity which exists between red and tupelo gum, together with the
fact that tupelo is often cut along with red gum, and marketed with
the sapwood of the latter, makes it not out of place to give
consideration to this timber. The wood has a fine, uniform texture, is
moderately hard and strong, is stiff, not elastic, very tough and hard
to split, but easy to work with tools. Tupelo takes glue, paint, or
varnish well, and absorbs very little of the material. In this respect
it is equal to yellow poplar and superior to cottonwood. The wood is
not durable in contact with ground, and requires much care in
seasoning. The distinction between the heartwood and sapwood of this
species is marked. The former varies in color from a dull gray to a
dull brown; the latter is whitish or light yellow like that of poplar.
The wood is of medium weight, about thirty-two pounds per cubic foot
when dry, or nearly that of red gum and loblolly pine. After
seasoning it is difficult to distinguish the better grades of sapwood
from poplar. Owing to the prejudice against tupelo gum, it was until
recently marketed under such n