TREES OF AMERICA. 131 



very much like the sweet locust in all the 

 particulars you have mentioned, except that 

 the pods are not near as large, and the flowers 

 are both larger, and have a stronger perfume. 

 The thorns, too, are only found on the young 

 trees ; when they grow older the thorns all fall 

 off. Tho^wood is yellow, with a very slight 

 tinge of green ; and it is for the excellence 

 of the wood that the locust is so much valued. 

 There are but very few kinds that will last as 

 long without rotting." 



" And is it strong, too ?" 



" Yes, very strong and compact ; and it 

 can be polished, and made to look very beau- 

 tiful." 



" And what is it used for. Uncle Philip ?" 



" Where it is very plentiful, it is a great 

 deal used for fencing-stuff; posts that have 

 been well seasoned before they are set in the 

 ground will last forty years ; and they are so 

 much esteemed that they sell for as many as 

 forty and fifty cents apiece. Shipwrights 

 are very fond of locust-wood, too ; it is as 

 durable as the live oak, although not quite as 

 strong ; but then it is lighter, which is an ad 

 vantage. They use it for the frame timbers, 

 and also for the iruniiels, or pins that the 



