796 AgHcultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1908. 



it is not pfirticular- wlict lii-r the climate is cold in- hot. Tt Houi'ishes in many 

 parts i)f New 8<»utli Wales, and .seems equally at home in Tasmania and 

 ►South Australia, in moist and dry climates respectively. 



If I say too much about this tree 1 shall he poaching on the domain of 

 the Fruit Expert, l)ut [have no hesitation in sayin<>- that the mulberry is, 

 regrettably, a much neglected tree in New South Wales. 



3. M. rxbra, I.. " The Red IVI nil x-rry Tree."' Figured in Sargent, " Silva of 

 North America," t. 320. Native of Eastei'n North .Xincrica and North Mexico. 



It appears to be the largest tree amongst the nudbei'i'ies, and Sargent 

 states it attains its largest size in the l)asin of the Lower Oliio lliver and 

 on the foothills of the Aj>i)alachiaii Mountains. 



The fruit is at first bright red when fully grown, but afteiwards becomes 

 dark purple. Tt is inferior as an edible fruit since horticulturists have 

 raised better forms, but as a beautiful shade-tree and also as food for silk- 

 worms in the coldest localities (»f New South Wales, it is well W(»rthy of 

 cultivation b}' all lovers of trees. 



^ The Osage Orange {Madura). 



1. Madura aurantiaca, Nutt {Si/u- Toxylon poviiferum, Raf.). "Osage 

 Oranaje." Native of Southern United States. 



Usually in New South Wales it is only known as a hedge plant. T hope to 

 deal with hedge plants for New South Wales in a subsecpient article of this 

 series, but would draw attention to the fact that in the colder parts of this 

 State, in rich, moist, bottom lands, it becomes a medium-sized tree. Its 

 elastic yellow wood is called Bow-wood, from its being used by the Indians 

 for making bows. See also Gardeners' Cltronide, 1894. Figure 8S. 



At the same time — and this is a great recommendation — it is most accom- 

 modating as to soil and climate. 



It forms the subject of a Forest planting Leatlet, Circular !)(>, of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture, where it is recounnended as a 

 timber tree. Mr. Pinchot says that in its native countr}- it rarely succumbs 

 to di-ought, and this ability to withstand aridity makes it one of the most 

 <lesirable trees for planting throughout the Middle West United States. 



It is recommended for fence-post material, an;l is used " in the manufacture 

 of machinery, waggon-felloes, insulator-pins, and tool-handles. Where the 

 tree attains sutticient size the wood is used for railroad ties (sleepers)." 



Of course New South Wales is one of the principal countries of the world 

 producing hardwoods, and the commercial importance of the Osage Orange as 

 a timber tree, under our conditions, remains to be proved. But ti-ees suit- 

 able for arid conditions should always be persevered with. 



The fruit, like a coarse orange, is well known, and the plant itself is propa^ 

 gated readily from seeds, suckers, and stump sprouts. Its tendency to pro- 

 fuse branching, which is an (excellent chax'acter in a shade tree, is checked by 

 close planting. 



The leaves of the Osage Orange are readily eaten by silkworms. 



M 9 ; L 29 c. 



