YOUNG SHOOTS OF LOCUST-TREE. 71 



feet, yet fifty feet is considered a tali tree in average 

 situations, the trunk being often of a flat and irregular 

 figure, not by any means ornamental. 



The Locust Tree (Robinia Pseud-acacia). The 

 common Robinia, or False acacia. In this country 

 the tree does not thrive, unless planted in the earliest 

 and best sheltered situations. A leguminous tree, it 

 belongs to Diadelphia decandria in the Linnaean 

 system. Although it grows rapidly, and becomes a 

 tree of considerable height in its native country 

 (North America), when in rich, dry, well-sheltered 

 situations, as an ornament in this country it is very 

 precarious, being much influenced by the seasons, and 

 seldom blooming abundantly for a few years in suc- 

 cession. It is generally late in coming into leaf, and 

 wears a bare appearance when other trees are decked 

 out with leaves of verdant green. 



It is usually ranked with trees of low stature, 

 though Loudon speaks of one, the first plant of the 

 species that was brought to Europe, and planted in 

 the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, in 1635, which still 

 existed two centuries later, namely, in 1835, when it 

 had attained a height of seventy-eight feet. 



It produces shoots of great vigour during its early 

 life, but it is only in the best situations most favour- 

 able for its development that its branches, which are 

 thrown out luxuriantly, will ripen sufficiently to stand 

 the frost, it being not an uncommon circumstance for 

 from a third to a half of the extremities of the branches 

 of young trees to be cut off. In after-life the tree 

 acquires a more spreading habit, when its growth is 

 less prolific, and better calculated to stand the winter 

 in consequence, although as it continues to grow late in 



