Though now outmoded, slippery elm tablets were chewed by spitball pitchers to enhance the effectiveness of the saliva applied to make the pitched baseball curve [REF].
The tree's fibrous inner bark produces a strong and durable fiber that can be spun into thread, twine, or rope[REF] useful for bow strings, ropes, jewellery, clothing, snowshoe bindings, woven mats, and even some musical instruments.