624 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART 111. 



will not retain their vegetative properties for more than 2 years; but, if they 

 are kept in the pod, and buried to a great depth in dry soil, they will remain 

 good for 5 or G years, or perhaps longer. As seed-bearing trees seldom produce 

 two abundant crops in succession, a reserve should be kept from one year 

 to another. It is allowed, both in France and Britain, that the best seeds are 

 those which are obtained from America. According to Miller, editor of the 

 Journal des Forels, M. Roland, sen., a distinguished French agriculturist, finds 

 that American seed germinates best when sown late in the year. QVithers's 

 Treatise, p. 280.) Cobbett recommends steeping the seeds before they are 

 sown, by pouring boiling water on them, and stirring them about in it for an 

 hour or more, till they swell. Probably, it may be worth while to steep the 

 seeds, in some cases, in cold or tepid water, especially if the season should be 

 far advanced ; but pouring water upon them in a boiling state ought to be 

 done with great caution ; and boiling them, as Cobbett says {§ 383.) Judge 

 Mitchell, in Long Island, advised him to do, is what no rational man would ever 

 attempt, as even a short continuation in water, at the temperature of 212°, 

 must, of course, destroy the vital principle. An experiment, by the author of 

 the Domestic Gardener^ Manual, is related in Withers's Treatise (p. 308.), by 

 the results of which it appears, that " immersion in hot water accelerates 

 germination, but tends to destroy or injure the seeds." In a future page (see 

 App. II. to Leguminaceae) it will be seen, that steeping Australia and Cape 

 acacia seeds for 24- hours, in water which had been poured on them in a boil- 

 ing state, or nearly so, accelerated their germination nearly 2 years. 



The seeds should be sown in good free soil, rich rather than otherwise, 

 an inch or two apart every way, and covered with light soil from a quarter to 

 half an inch deep. In fine seasons, the plants will be from 2 ft. to 4- ft. high 

 by the following autumn ; the largest may then be removed to where they 

 are finally to remain, and the others transplanted into nursery lines. In 

 regard to the future removal of the locust, it may be observed, that it will 

 transplant at almost any age, and with fewer roots than almost any other 

 tree. 



Accidents and Diseases. The liability of the branches to be broken off by 

 high winds has been already mentioned ; and also the American insect which 

 perforates the wood of planted trees in that country. (See p. 618.) In 

 Britain, the tree is not particularly liable to be attacked by any insect, or 

 by any disease, either in its foliage or in its wood ; though snails are said to 

 devour the bark when the tree is young. Hares and rabbits, according to 

 Mr. Blackie and others, in jNIr. Withers's Treatise, also devour the bark 

 of the locust, which they prefer to that of any other tree whatever; and cattle, 

 it is well known, are exceedingly fond of browsing on its leaves. In a strong 

 clay or moist soil, the wood of old trees is often found rotten at the heart. 



statistics. Robima Pseud- Acacia in the Keighbourhood of London. At Syon, 81ft. high, di. 

 ameterjof the trunk, at 1ft. from the ground, 3 ft. 4 in., and of the head 'il ft., in loam on graveL 

 At Ham House, 50 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 3fl. 6 in., and of the head 36 ft., in light 

 loam on gravel. At York House, Twickenham, 50 years planted, 60ft. high, diameter of the trunk 

 2J;fL, and that of the head 40 ft., in sandy loam on clay. At Kenwood, 80 years planted, 4'> ft. high, 

 diameter of the trunk 3 ft. 6 in., and of the head 38 ft., in sandy gravel, on clay and graveL At 

 Charlton House, a number of trees, from 60 ft. to 70 ft. high, with trunks from 2ft. 10 in. to 3 ft. 6 in. 

 in diameter. 



Bobima. Psetid- Acacia South of London. In Devonshire, at Kenton, 38 years planted, and 70 ft. 

 high. In Hampshire, at Southampton, .50 years planted, and 70 ft high ; at Testwood, 12 year« 

 planted, and 28 ft. high. In Somersetshire, at Nethercorabe, 11 years planted, and 36 ft. high, the 

 diameter of the trunk 10 in., and of the head 18 ft. In Surrey, at Bagshot Park, 16 years 

 planted, and 30 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 12 in., and of the head 18 ft. ; at Claremont, 

 70ft. high, diameter of the trunk 4ft., and of the head 50ft., in sandy loam, on sand and 

 gravel ; at Ockham Court, a tree, 80 years old, has a trunk 2 ft. 8 in. in diameter, at a foot from the 

 ground. In Sussex, at Goodwood, there are numerous trees, from 50 ft. to 60ft. high, with trunks 

 from 18in. to 2ft. in diameter; at Sandon Place, 90 years planted, and 75 ft. high, the diameter 

 of the trunk 3 ft. 6 in., and of the head 51 ft. In Wiltshire, at Wardour Castle, 50 years planted, 

 and 60 ft high, diameter of the trunk 2 ft. 5 in., and of the head 54 ft., in loam, on clay, in a shel- 

 tered situation; at Longford Castle, 50 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 2ft. and of the head .30 ft., 

 in light loam on gravel, in an exposed situation. In the Ise of Jersey, in Saunders's Nursery, 10 years 

 planted, and .30 ft. high. 



Iiobin\3 Pscud-Accicia North qf London. In Bedfordshire, at Ampthill,' 35 years planted, and 

 .36 ft. high, diam. of the trunk 2^ ft., and of .the head 44 ft., in loam on gravel, in an open situation. 

 In Wiluhire, at Fonthill, 22 years planted, and 40 ft. high, diam. of the trunk 2 ft, and of the 

 head 33 ft In Cheshire, at Cholmondeley, 60 ft high, diameter of the trunk 3 ft., in loam on 



