418 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III.’ 
presses ; and, sometimes, for gun-stocks. Formerly, when wooden dishes and 
spoons were more used than they are at present, it was much in demand, espe- 
cially in Scotland, by the manufacturers of these articles. 
As underwood, the sycamore shoots freely from the stool to the age of 80 
or 100 years. As a timber tree, it is most advantageously cut down at the age 
of 80 years, or from that age to 100. In Germany, the tree which is com- 
monly planted along with it, in plantations made with a view to profit, is the 
beech. As an ornamental tree, it produces the best effect ; either singly, in 
groups of two or three, placed sufficiently near to form a whole, but not so as 
to touch each other; and in rows or avenues. The varieties with variegated: 
leaves are very ornamental in the beginning of summer; but their leaves are 
almost always more or less imperfect, especially on the edges, and fall off 
much sooner in the autumn than those of the species. The leaves of the pur- 
ple variety are not liable to the same objection as those of the variegated 
sorts. 
In Scotland, children amuse themselves by cutting openings in the bark, and 
sipping the sap that flows from its wounds (Mag. Nat. Hist.) ; and they also 
play with the large buds which are found on the points of the shoots, which 
they call cocks, and the small side-buds, which they call hens. In England, 
children suck the wings of the growing keys, for the sake of obtaining the sweet 
exudation that is upon them. 
Poetical and historical Allusions. The sycamore, in the language of flowers, 
signifies curiosity, because it was supposed to be “ the tree on which Zaccheus 
climbed to see Christ pass on his way to Jerusalem, when the people strewed 
leaves and branches of palm and other trees in his way, exclaiming, ‘ Hosanna 
to the Son of David!’ ” (Syl. Flor., p. 221.) The tree called the sycamore 
in the Bible, however, was not the Acer Psetdo-Platanus, but the Ficus 
Sycomorus; though the supposition that the first was the sycamore of the Scrip- 
tures induced many religious persons, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, 
to plant it near their houses and in their gardens. Evelyn mentions this prac- 
tice, and condemns it; as the sycamore, from the frequency of honey-dew _ 
on its leaves, is a very unwholesome and unsightly tree. It is mentioned by 
Chaucer; and Cowper says, — 
** Nor unnoticed pass 
The sycamore, capricious in attire ; 
Now green, now tawny; and ere autumn yet 
Has changed the woods, in scarlet honours bright.” 
Soil and Situation. The common sycamore will grow in any soil not 
saturated with moisture ; but it seems to prefer one that is dry and free, rather 
than one stiff or moist. It will grow in exposed situations, and especially on 
the sea coast, and maintain its erect position against the sea breeze better than 
most other trees. It is inuse for this purpose in Scotland, and also for plant- 
ing round farm-houses and cottages on bleak hills. In such situations, an 
instance can hardly be found of the head of the tree leaning more to one side 
than another. Even when the wind blows strongly in one direction for nine 
months in the year, this tree maintains its perpendicularity and symmetrical 
form. 
Propagation and Culture. This species is invariably propagated by seed; and 
the variegated-leaved and other varieties by layers, or by budding or grafting. 
It will also propagate freely by cuttings of the roots. The seeds may either 
be sown immediately after they are gathered, or they may be kept in sand till 
the following spring. If the seeds are kept dry, and unmixed with sand or 
earth till spring, they seldom come up the same year, and sometimes lose their 
vegetative properties altogether. 
Accidents and Diseases. The leaves are attacked by various insects, and the 
young shoots eaten by goats, hares, cattle, horses, and mules. In a suitable 
soil, the tree is attacked by few diseases; but at great elevations, on unsuitable 
soils, and especially on such as are wet, the superabundance of sap produces 
hemorrhage, and, according to M. Werneck, dropsy. In both these cases, the 
