Mr. B. Couch, late timber and store receiver at Plymouth Dockyard, writing to Mr. Withers in January, 1834, says, "I recollect that, about 30 years since, certain ship-owners in Scotland, considering that locust trenails were very durable, with great lateral strength, were in the habit of sending to the United States for a supply. I have reason to think that, in consequence of my mentioning the circumstance to a gentleman high in office, they have been contracted for and employed in the [English government] dockyards, where they have attained a very high character." He adds, "I speak of locusts the growth of the United States. I have had no experience, neither have I obtained any intelligence, respecting locusts the growth of England." (Withers's Treatise, p. 302.) Sir Robert Seppings also bears witness to the "excellent properties of the locust tree for the trenails of ships," which, he says, "have long been known and appreciated by the people of this country." (Ibid., p. 267.) Writing to Mr. Withers in June, 1829, from the Navy Office, he observes, "We have for the last two or three years imported a considerable number of locust trenails from America." (Ibid., p. 268.)

In civil architecture, in America, the locust is chiefly used for sills and wall-plates. The sills of doors, and the wooden framing of the half timber houses, which are placed immediately on the ground, are found to last longer, when made of locust wood, than those made from any other tree, except the red mulberry (Mòrus rùbra). Michaux states that the locust wood is not employed in America for staves and hoops, or for making hedges, as it has been asserted to be by some writers; but that it has been extensively used by cabinet-makers; and that it is substituted by turners and toy-makers for the box. These are all the uses of the wood of the locust tree in America. In France, it has been extensively cultivated in the Gironde, in copses, which are cut at the age of 4 years for props to vines; and these props are found to last more than 20 years. Old trees, in the same district, are pollarded, and their heads cut off every third year, for the same purpose. The great inconvenience attending these props is in the prickles with which they are armed; but this may be avoided by the use of either of the strong-growing thornless varieties, viz. R. P. inér nis and R. P. spectábilis. In Paris, many small articles are made of the wood; such as salt-cellars, sugar-basins, spoons, forks, paper-knives, &c. Michaux observes that the locust should never be grown in a poor soil, for any other purpose than for vine-props or fuel; for both which uses the plants, he says, should be cut over every fourth year. Even in that case, he adds, they will, in a few years, cease to grow vigorously; and will ultimately prove less profitable, on such soils, than the common birch.

Italy, and the southern departments of France, Michaux considers the countries where the greatest advantages may be expected from the rapid growth of the locust. In good soils, in such climates, at the end of 20 or 25 years, he says that a mass of wood may be obtained from the locust, twice as great as from any other species of tree. In Lombardy, the wood of this tree is used for many rural purposes. Young plants of it were formerly much employed in forming hedges; but this is now abandoned, because the tree was found to impoverish the soil; and, as it grew old, it lost its prickles; besides, from being continually pruned to keep it low, the hedge becomes thin and open at bottom, and the plants end in being little more than mere stumps. (See Gard. Mag., vol. xi. p. 642.)

In countries with an agriculture in which clovers and root crops do not enter into the rotation, the leaves of the locust may form a substitute for these articles as provender for cattle. When the tree is cultivated for this purpose, it ought either to be treated like the furze, and mown every year; or the trees allowed to grow to the height of 8 ft. or 10 ft., and kept as pollards, the branches being cut off every other year. This cutting should take place in the middle of summer, at which time the branches can be dried for use during winter; and one or two shoots should be left on the tree to keep up vegetation, which shoots must be cut off during the following winter. In France, the green shoots, when cut off, are immediately tied up in little bundles; and, after

being exposed to the air for 7 or 8 days to dry, they are taken home, and put in a barn or into a rick, between layers of straw, to which they communicate their fragrance and sugary taste. When the shoots are to be eaten green, none are taken but those of the same season; because in them the prickles are herbaceous, and, consequently, do not injure the mouths of the animals. The roots of the locust are very sweet, and afford an extract which might supply the place of that obtained from liquorice roots; the entire plant is also said to afford a yellow dye. The flowers have been employed medicinally as antispasmodics, and to form an agreeable and refreshing syrup, which is drunk with water to quench thirst. M. François says he never drank any thing to be compared to a liquor distilled from locust flowers in St. Domingo. These flowers, he adds, retain their perfume when dried; and those of a single tree are sufficient to give a scent resembling that of orange blossoms to a whole garden.

As an ornamental tree, when full-grown, according to Gilpin, the acacia is an elegant, and often a very beautiful, object; whether it feathers to the ground, as it sometimes does, or is adorned with a light foliage hanging from the shoots but its beauty, he adds, is frail; and "it is of all trees the least able to endure the blast. In some sheltered spot, it may ornament a garden; but it is by no means qualified to adorn a country. Its wood is of so brittle a texture, especially when it is encumbered with a weight of foliage, that you can never depend upon its aid in filling up the part you wish. The branch you admire to-day may be demolished to-morrow. The misfortune is, the acacia is not one of those grand objects, like the oak, whose dignity is often increased by ruin. It depends on its beauty, rather than on its grandeur, which is a quality more liable to injury. I may add, however, in its favour, that, if it be easily injured, it repairs the injury more quickly than any other tree. Few trees make so rapid a growth." (Gilpin's Forest Scenery, i. p. 72.) On the whole, it would appear, that, in Britain, the locust is only calculated for favourable climates and good soils; and that, when grown in these with a view to profit as timber, it should be cut down at the end of 30 or 40 years. Perhaps it may prove more profitable as a copse wood, for producing fencing stuff, or fuel: but, even for these purposes, we feel confident that it cannot be grown for many years together, with advantage, on the same soil. We do not think it at all suitable for hop-poles; because, even when crowded together in nursery lines, it cannot be got to grow straight, and it almost always loses its main shoot: besides, if it did grow straight, there is no evidence to prove that stakes made from young locust trees, and used for hop-poles, are more durable than stakes of the ash, chestnut, or any other tree. It is worthy of notice, that Cobbett, apparently without ever having seen a hop-pole made of locust, boldly affirms that the tree is admirably adapted for that purpose; that trees from his nursery, after being 4 years planted on Lord Radnor's estate at Coleshill, were "fit for hop-poles, that will last in that capacity for 20 or 30 years at the least" (Woodlands, § 380.); that such poles are worth a shilling each (that is, nearly double what was at that time the price of good ash hop-poles); that 5 acres would thus, in 5 years, produce 529.; and that each stump, left after the pole was cut down, would send up 2 or 3 poles for the next crop; which, being cut down in their turn, at the end of another 5 years, would, of course, produce two or three times the above sum"! (382.); that locust wood is "absolutely indestructible by the powers of earth, air, and water;" and that "no man in America will pretend to say that he ever saw a bit of it in a decayed state." (Ibid., § 328.) After this, it will not be wondered at that Cobbett should call the locust" the tree of trees," and that he should eulogise it in the following passage, which is so characteristic of the man, and so well exemplifies the kind of quackery in which he dealt, that we quote it entire:-" The time will come," he observes, " and it will not be very distant, when the locust tree will be more common in England than the oak; when a man would be thought mad if he used anything but locust in the making of sills, posts, gates, joists, feet for rick-stands, stocks

and axletrees for wheels, hop-poles, pales, or for any thing where there is liability to rot. This time will not be distant, seeing that the locust grows so fast. The next race of children but one, that is to say, those who will be born 60 years hence, will think that locust trees have always been the most numerous trees in England; and some curious writer of a century or two hence will tell his readers that, wonderful as it may seem, the locust was hardly known in England until about the year 1823, when the nation was introduced to a knowledge of it by William Cobbett.' What he will say of me besides, I do not know; but I know that he will say this of me. I enter upon this account, therefore, knowing that I am writing for centuries and centuries to come." (Ibid., § 351.) The absurdity of the above passage renders it almost unworthy of comment; but we may remark that, even supposing all that Cobbett says in it of the application of the locust were true, the uses which he has enumerated do not amount to a hundredth part of those to which timber is applied in this country. Hence, were his predictions to be verified, and were the locust to become more prevalent than the oak, we should find its wood a miserable substitute, in the construction of ships and houses, for that of our ordinary timber trees. Every experienced planter or timber owner, both in Europe and America, has felt this; and this is the true reason why the tree never has been, and never will be, extensively planted.

There can be no doubt as to the durability of full-grown or matured locust wood, and of its fitness for posts, trenails, &c.; but there is no evidence, either in Mr. Cobbett's Woodlands, or in all that was printed in Mr. Withers's Treatise, when he kindly lent us the proof sheets, in April, 1836, that the locust is suitable for hop-poles, either in point of rapid growth, or of durability. In order to procure the latest information on this subject, we wrote to three individuals in the centre of hop countries, and to the Earl of Radnor, Robert Rich, Esq., Philip James Case, Esq., and some others, whose letters to Mr. Withers in favour of the locust are printed in his book. The general result of the whole is, that the locust has scarcely been tried for hop-poles; and that, where it has been put to this or analogous uses, it has failed. On Lord Radnor's estate, at Coleshill, his bailiff, the Daniel Palmer so often mentioned by Cobbett, says, "the acacias were tried here for espalier stakes, and soon decayed; none have been applied for poles or gate posts. Those planted on light land soon got stunted, but some of those in deep land grew well. I am of opinion they are not good for much until they get of a good size, and, of course, are full of heart, then they will last a long time as posts, &c." This, the reader will recollect, is Mr. Palmer's opinion, after an experience of 12 years; the locust trees at Coleshill having been planted in 1823 and 1824. We applied, for information on the subject, also to the Bishop of Winchester, as residing at Farnham, in the centre of a hop country; and, through His Lordship's kindness, we have received a letter from a gentleman, who states that the Messrs. Payne were the only hop-growers, at Farnham, who planted the locust with a view to the production of hop-poles. That the poles were not fit to cut till the trees had been planted 7 years; and that they have now been only used 2 years, so that Messrs. Payne cannot speak as to their durability. Maidstone being so celebrated for its hop plantations, we wrote to Messrs. Bunyard, nurserymen there; and from them we learn that the locust is considered with them too brittle for poles, and that it has not even been tried near Maidstone in that capacity, having been only used for supporting raspberries. Mr. Masters, the nurseryman, at Canterbury, informs us that the locust was planted in that neighbourhood by various hop-growers; that almost the whole of the plants were eaten by the rabbits; that some of the trees which had escaped were tried as poles, and not found more durable than other woods; that the stools did not throw up shoots nearly so well as those of other trees; and that the locust is now no longer thought of by the hopgrowers near Canterbury. The other letters which we have received on the subject are to the same effect; though some of the writers are still great

admirers of Cobbett, and appear very reluctant to give any evidence that may impugn his statements. Most of them will be found included in an article entitled, "Results of a Correspondence to ascertain the Durability of Locust Hop-poles," in the 12th volume of the Gardener's Magazine.

The locust, though it may be grown as copse-wood, for being cut over every 5 or more years, or in a close wood, for being cut down or rooted up, at the end of 30 or 40 years, for its timber, can never be grown for undergrowth under any circumstances, for it will not endure the shade and drip of other trees. As an ornamental tree, it well deserves a place in every park, lawn, or shrubbery; but not in any quantity, because it is not calculated to produce effect in masses, but rather singly, in rows, or in small groups.

Poetical and Legendary Allusions. Perhaps no tree possesses more materials for poetry than the locust, and yet has been less noticed by poets. The poetical ideas connected with it arise from its being, when planted in shrubberies, the favourite resort of the nightingale, which probably chooses it for building its nest from an instinctive feeling of the protection afforded by its thorns. (Syl. Flor., vol. i. p. 40.) In its native country, we are told that the American Indians make a declaration of love, by presenting a branch of the locust tree in blossom to the object of their attachment. (Le Langage des Fleurs, p. 114.) This tree is less injurious than any other to plants growing under its drip, from a singularity in the habit of its pinnated leaves; the leaflets of which fold over each other in wet weather, leaving the tree apparently stripped of half its foliage. The leaflets also fold up at night; and Philips mentions an instance of a child, who had observed this peculiarity in the tree, saying that "it was not bed-time, for the acacia tree had not begun its prayers." (Syl. Flor., vol i. p. 47.)

Soil and Situation. A sandy loam, rich rather than poor, is generally allowed to be the best soil for the robinia. Lord King truly observes that it requires a good garden soil to attain any size; though Mr. Blackie of Holkham says that there are innumerable locust trees growing at Holkham, upon "inferior sandy soils, where other forest trees barely exist." He adds, however, They, no doubt, thrive best upon good land, and so do other trees; but they are inestimable in the quality of thriving where other trees will not grow.' (Withers's Treatise, p. 283. and 233.) Their quality of thriving on poor soils is, no doubt, owing to their power of rapidly abstracting whatever nourishment such soils may contain, by their running roots; but, for the same reason, on such soils, they would soon become stunted, and good for little as timber trees. The only trees that will thrive, and ultimately become timber, on poor shallow soils, are the resiniferous needle-leaved kinds; such as the pine, the fir, the cedar, and the larch. In rich soils, the plants will produce shoots 6 ft. or 8 ft. long, for several years after planting; while in wet or poor soils they will not produce shoots above a fourth of that length. The situation ought to be at once airy and sheltered; as the tree is not fitted for being employed in exposed places, or as a screen for protection against wind. In general, it looks best planted singly on a lawn, or in small groups in a shrubbery, or on the margin of a plantation, where it is allowed to spread out its branches freely on every side, and to assume its own peculiar shape; feathering, as Gilpin says, to the ground.

Propagation and Culture. The locust may, with difficulty, be propagated by cuttings of the branches; but with great facility by cuttings of the roots, and also by large truncheons, and by suckers, as the latter are thrown out in great numbers, and to a great distance round the trees; but, in general, the simplest and best mode is by seed, which is procured in abundance, either from America, or from trees grown in England or France. The seed is ripe in October, and, being gathered, if not sown immediately, should be kept in the pods till the following spring. When sown in the autumn or spring it comes up the following summer; and the plants, at the end of the season, will be fit either for transplanting where they are finally to remain, or into nursery lines. The seeds, if exposed to the air, as we have already observed,

UU

will not retain their vegetative properties for more than 2 years; but, if they are kept in the pod, and buried to a great depth in dry soil, they will remain good for 5 or 6 years, or perhaps longer. As seed-bearing trees seldom produce two abundant crops in succession, a reserve should be kept from one year to another. It is allowed, both in France and Britain, that the best seeds are those which are obtained from America. According to Miller, editor of the Journal des Forêts, M. Roland, sen., a distinguished French agriculturist, finds that American seed germinates best when sown late in the year. (Withers's Treatise, p. 280.) Cobbett recommends steeping the seeds before they are sown, by pouring boiling water on them, and stirring them about in it for an hour or more, till they swell. Probably, it may be worth while to steep the seeds, in some cases, in cold or tepid water, especially if the season should be far advanced; but pouring water upon them in a boiling state ought to be done with great caution; and boiling them, as Cobbett says (§ 383.) Judge Mitchell, in Long Island, advised him to do, is what no rational man would ever attempt, as even a short continuation in water, at the temperature of 212°, must, of course, destroy the vital principle. An experiment, by the author of the Domestic Gardener's Manual, is related in Withers's Treatise (p. 308.), by the results of which it appears, that "immersion in hot water accelerates germination, but tends to destroy or injure the seeds." In a future page (see App. II. to Leguminàceæ) it will be seen, that steeping Australia and Cape acacia seeds for 24 hours, in water which had been poured on them in a boiling state, or nearly so, accelerated their germination nearly 2 years.

The seeds should be sown in good free soil, rich rather than otherwise, an inch or two apart every way, and covered with light soil from a quarter to half an inch deep. In fine seasons, the plants will be from 2 ft. to 4 ft. high by the following autumn; the largest may then be removed to where they are finally to remain, and the others transplanted into nursery lines. In regard to the future removal of the locust, it may be observed, that it will transplant at almost any age, and with fewer roots than almost any other

tree.

Accidents and Diseases. The liability of the branches to be broken off by high winds has been already mentioned; and also the American insect which perforates the wood of planted trees in that country. (See p. 618.) In Britain, the tree is not particularly liable to be attacked by any insect, or by any disease, either in its foliage or in its wood; though snails are said to devour the bark when the tree is young. Hares and rabbits, according to Mr. Blackie and others, in Mr. Withers's Treatise, also devour the bark of the locust, which they prefer to that of any other tree whatever; and cattle, it is well known, are exceedingly fond of browsing on its leaves. In a strong clay or moist soil, the wood of old trees is often found rotten at the heart.

Statistics. Robinia Pseùd-Acàcia in the Neighbourhood of London. At Syon, 81 ft. high, diameter of the trunk, at 1 ft. from the ground, 3 ft. 4 in., and of the head 57 ft., in loam on gravel. At Ham House, 50 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 3 ft. 6 in., and of the head 36 ft., in light loam on gravel. At York House, Twickenham, 50 years planted, 60 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 2ft., and that of the head 40 ft., in sandy loam on clay. At Kenwood, 80 years planted, 45 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 3 ft. 6 in., and of the head 38 ft., in sandy gravel, on clay and gravel. At Charlton House, a number of trees, from 60 ft. to 70 ft. high, with trunks from 2 ft. 10 in, to 3 ft. 6 in.

in diameter.

Robinia Pseud-Acàcia South of London. In Devonshire, at Kenton, 38 years planted, and 70 ft. high. In Hampshire, at Southampton, 50 years planted, and 70 ft. high; at Testwood, 12 years planted, and 28 ft. high. In Somersetshire, at Nethercombe, 11 years planted, and 36 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 10 in., and of the head 18 ft. In Surrey, at Bagshot Park, 16 years planted, and 30 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 12 in., and of the head 18 ft.; at Claremont, 70 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 4 ft., and of the head 50 ft., in sandy loam, on sand and gravel; at Ockham Court, a tree, 80 years old, has a trunk 2 ft. 8 in. in diameter, at a foot from the ground. In Sussex, at Goodwood, there are numerous trees, from 50 ft. to 60 ft. high, with trunks from 18 in. to 2 ft. in diameter; at Sandon Place, 90 years planted, and 75 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 3 ft. 6 in., and of the head 51 ft. In Wiltshire, at Wardour Castle, 50 years planted, and 60 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 2 ft. 5in., and of the head 54 ft., in loam, on clay, in a sheltered situation; at Longford Castle, 50 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 2 ft. and of the head 30 ft., in light loam on gravel, in an exposed situation. In the Ise of Jersey, in Saunders's Nursery, 10 years planted, and 30 ft. high.

Robinia Pseud-Acàcia North of London. In Bedfordshire, at Ampthill,' 35 years planted, and 36 ft. high, diam. of the trunk 24 ft., and of the head 44 ft., in loam on gravel, in an open situation. In Wiltshire, at Fonthill, 22 years planted, and 40 ft. high, diam. of the trunk 2ft., and of the head 33 ft. In Cheshire, at Cholmondeley, 60 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 8 ft., in loam on