Bark (botany) rope, used for example in the rigging of Viking age longships. Among the commercial products made from bark are cork, cinnamon, quinine (from the bark of Cinchona) and aspirin (from the bark of willow trees). The bark of some trees notably oak ("Quercus robur") is a source of tannic acid, which is used in tanning. Bark chips generated as a by-product of lumber production are often used in bark mulch in western North America. Bark is important to the horticultural industry since in shredded form it is used for plants that do not thrive in ordinary soil, such as epiphytes.
Asa C. Matthews Asa C. Matthews Asa Carrington Matthews (March 22, 1833 – June 14, 1908) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician. Born in Pike County, Illinois, Matthews went to the public schools. He went to McKendree College and Illinois College. In 1857, Matthew was admitted to the Illinois bar. During the American Civil War, Matthew served in the 99th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He then practiced law in Pittsfield, Illinois. Matthews was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and served as the speaker. Matthews was a Republican. He also was appointed Illinois Circuit Court judge in 1885. Matthews also served