Feb. 2, 1920.] 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



85 



The Honey Locust Tree 



[Gleditschia triacanthos Linn.). 

 Shelteb, Shade, and Food for Pigs. 



H. W. POTTS, Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College. 



There are many economic phases of pig- raising peculiar to our climate, and 

 the provision of shade and shelter during extremes of heat in a rational 

 manner is an important one. Observations in this direction have been 

 continuous for the past ten years at our stud piggery, and the experience has 

 proved highly satisfactory. 



Pisfs revel in shade durins; the summer months, when the heat of the sun at 

 midday is at its height, and continually take to shady spots. This is specially 

 observed with white breeds. It has been noticed that where shade is not 

 provided the animals do not thrive so well, the daily increase in weight 

 being reduced, and the object of ^ __^__________ 



fattening being defeated by the 



absence of this common-sense 

 necessity. Siriiilar results are 

 obtained when pigs are not affor- 

 ded shelter during the winter 

 months Protection from pre- 

 vailing cold winds, storms and 

 rain is economically essential. 



Amongst the numerous trees 

 and shrubs that have been tested, 

 none has proved so useful as the 

 Honey Locust Tree, sometimes 

 known as the Thorny Locust 

 Tree, or the Triple-thorned Acacia. 

 It is a native of the south-eastern 

 portion of the United States of 

 America, and extends west to 

 Texa?. It is deciduous, hardy, 

 long lived, and drought resistant. 

 These trees grow to a heiglit of 



y r- 





Young Honey Locust Tree. 

 Pruned and shaped in winter. 



140 feet and 6 feet in diameter, but the general average will range from 

 40 to 50 feet in height and from 2 to 4 feet in diameter. A tree at this 

 College planted in 1910 is now 30 feet high, and 4 feet from the ground 

 it is 2 feet in diameter. The Honey Locust Tree is a vigorous grower, 

 flourishes on all classes of soil, and is not subject to attacks of borers or 

 insects. The wood is heavy, hard, strong, coarse, and durable; it can be used 

 for fencing posts and in the construction of floors or buildings demanding 

 damp-resistance, and it makes good fuel. 



