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BLACK OR YELLOW LOCUST. 

 By John S. Hicks, Roslyn, L. I. 



The locust takes its common name from its resemblance to the ancient locust 

 mainly in the form of its leaf ; and its botanical, Rohinia pseudacacia, from its being 

 introduced into France by either John Robin, gardener to Henry IV. of France, or his 

 son, Vespasian, about 1601. It must have been taken from Virginia. 



All evidence seems to point to Virginia as being the place of its most natural 

 growth. 



There are locust trees on the lawn of Daniel Bogart, at Roslyn, L. I., that were brought 

 by Capt. Sands from Virginia, over a hundred years ago. I think there are but two 

 kinds of the locust generally known : the black or yellow locust and the white locust. 



The yellow locust may vary much in different localities and soils — some darker in 

 colour than others — and this fact has also undoubtedly given the name of green locust. 

 The yellow locust is the only one of value. 



The white locust, the bark of which is much smoother, has more sap-wood and the 

 heart is of a silvery whiteness. It is of little value, either for strength or durability, 

 and I think, as this variety is easier grown from seed, that it is often planted in place of 

 the yellow. 



The trees of the yellow locust usually grow forty to fifty feet in height — occasionally 

 ninety feet. After getting this size it grows very slow, and it is not profitable to graft to 

 tbe larger sizes. 



The young trees have sharp and strong prickles. These disappear largely after the 

 tree has a growth of three to four inches, although the small branches always have some. 

 It does very well on yellow sandy soils, and in yellow sand banks, with no alluvial soil 

 covering the sand, it will often grow spontaneously ; in heavy clay soils it often proves a 

 failure. The f;ict that it will grow profitably upon soil that will not produce pasture 

 or grow other trees of value, and after the trees have grown a few years, induce, by its 

 shade and rich falling leaves a good growth of pasture, makes it the most valuable tree 

 that is grown for profit. This also will make many unsightly spots beautiful and 

 dreary hillsides profitable. The roots usually run near the surface of the ground and 

 extend to a long distance. 



It; is now being largely used in re-foresting the desolate regions of Austria and 

 Hungary — localities that have been made desolate by having the former forests de- 

 stroyed. It thrives well in these countries, growing in thirty years to twelve inches in 

 diameter. It grows well in portions of all the middle States, southern parts of the 

 northern States and northern portions of the southern States. Some localities have 

 attempted its growth and after the appearance of the borers abandoned it. While it 

 often survives them, and sometimes if cut ofi" after the borers have attacked it, the second 

 growth thrived well. 



The delicacy and lightness of foliage distinguish this from all other trees of cultivated 

 wood-land, while the colour of its leaves, so different from others, makes its presence 

 known at a long distance. The rugged character of rough bark, its singularly light and 

 graceful foliage makes it a marked tree of peculiar beauty. Its leaflets are arranged in 

 opposite pairs along the mid-stem, somewhat similar to the mountain ash. It is late in 

 coming into leaf, and goes early in autumn ; but in the perfection of its verdure no other 

 tree rivals it. 



The foliage is very fertilizing to the soil, causing the grass beneath to be always 

 green and luxuriant. Its white and fragrant flowers appear in May and June. Tradition 

 says the American Indian made the gift of a bunch of its flowers a declaration of love. 

 The nightingale and other small birds resort to the protection of its thorny branches. 

 When dry, the wood weighs 54 pounds to the cubic foot, green 62 ; by tests made at Brest 

 and in the Woolwich ship-yards it was found to be about twice the strength of British 

 oak. It is used largely in making treenails for fastening planks to wooden ships, for 

 top timber and beams of vessels in exposed places. The most universal use is, however,, 



16 (F. G.) 



