Wood Fires
When we see a blue smoke coming out of a chimney we only know that the householder is burning wood. Woods, of course, differ, and there are some charming verses and sayings that describe the quality of this tree and that in the fire. All of these seem to me to under- estimate the value of elm, our commonest tree. Old elm burns with a singularly lovely blue and amethystine flame and is consumed at a satisfactory pace, neither too quickly like sycamore nor too slowly like some oak. More than this, its roots burn well, as do most roots, though I have never seen this so much as alluded to in the guise of fuel. They must, of course, be dry, but being loose of tissue they dry easily and then burn with a free flame. In general a large class of tree burns well according to the size of the fruit and flower. Apple wood is as good as coal. The most amusing and delightful fires I ever sat before were composed of the wood of an old tangle of lilac and laburnum, burnt green. The lilac (whose mauve tint runs through the wood) smelt like cedar, and the laburnum flamed cleanly as a candle.
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