XYLIA 



409 



The growth of the seedling during the first season is only moderate, 

 a height of 5-12 in. being ordinarily attained. In the second and subsequent 

 years, however, the development under favourable conditions is rapid, as the 

 measurements in the statement below will show. Growth is greatly stimulated 

 by regular weeding and loosening of the soil, as well as by moderate watering : 

 it is much impeded by weeds and by stiff soil, as the seedling requires good 

 drainage and soil- aeration. 



Fig. 156 shows a plant towards the end of the second season, vigorous 

 growth having been stimulated by regular weeding and watering. 



A long taproot is developed at an early age ; it may reach a length of 

 1 ft. in two months from germination and a length of 1-5 ft. or more by the 

 end of the first season. In the middle of the second season a plant was dug 

 up with a taproot 3 ft. 2 in. long and 0-6 in. in diameter. The seedling stands 

 comparatively heavy shade in its early stages. It is sensitive to drought as 

 well as to frost. 



The table below gives a summary of measurements in experimental plots 

 at Dehra Dun, in which the beneficial effects of weeding are clearly demon- 

 strated. The rate of growth for a locality far outside the natural habitat of 

 the species is remarkable. 



Xylia dolabriformis : rate of growth of young plants, Dehra Dun. 



dition under which grown. 



nursery, weeded and watered 

 nursery, weeded and watered 

 nursery, weeded and watered 



Dadcast sowing (seed lightly 

 vered), irrigated, weeded 

 aadcast sowing (seed lightly 

 vered), irrigated, not weeded 

 aadcast sowing (seed lightly 

 vered), unirrigated, weeded 



Dadcast sowing (seed lightly 

 vered), unirrigated, not weeded 

 tural conditions (seed scat- 

 red on surface of ground), not 

 ;eded after sowing in open 

 tural conditions (seed scat- 

 red on surface of ground), not 

 jeded after sowing in open 

 atural conditions (seed scat- 

 red on surface of ground), not 

 3eded after sowing in slight 

 >ade 



atural conditions (seed scat- 

 red on surface of ground), not 

 eeded after sowing in heavy 

 lade 



Height at end of season. 



1st season. 



Oft. 3 in. -Oft. 6 in. 

 Oft. 4in.-0ft. 11 in. 

 Maximum ft. 1 1 in. 



Maximum ft. 7 in. 



Maximum ft. 6 in. 



Maximum ft. 9 in. 



Maximum ft. 6 in. 

 Maximum ft. 5 in. 



Oft. 2 in. -Oft. 5 in. 

 (impeded by weeds) 



Oft. 3 in. -Oft. 5 in. 



Oft. 3 in. -Oft. 7 in. 



2nd season. 



Maximum 3 ft. 9 in. 

 6 ft. 3 in. (one plant) 



ft. 8i in.-4 ft. in. 



Oft. 4 in. -1ft. Sin. 



(impeded by weeds) 



Oft. 9 in. -5 ft. lin. 



Oft. 3 in. -Oft. 11 in. 

 (impeded by weeds) 

 All killed by drought 



3rd season. 



lift. 4 in. 



(girth 6 in ) 



4th season. 



17 ft. 4 in. 

 (girth 10 in.) 



12 ft. 6 in. (girth 

 6 in. at 4 ft. from 

 ground) 



Fig. 157 shows in a striking manner the effect of regular weeding. A plot 

 was sown broadcast : no watering was done, but the portion to the left of 

 the staff was regularly weeded, the soil being kept loose, while the portion 

 to the right of it was left unweeded. The effect of the weeding after fifteen 

 months is very marked. 



