ALBIZZIA 471 



which has been noticed to throw up root-suckers habitually, but a very interest- 

 ing instance of such reproduction occurring on the exposure of the root-system 

 came to my knowledge recently in the Wada Range (Thana district, Bombay), 

 where 21 Alhizzia Lebbek suckers were observed in some excavated pits arising 

 from roots which were embedded to the depth of 1| ft. in the soil. A close 

 examination proved that these suckers arose from a network of subterranean 

 roots which spread out from an Alhizzia Lebbek 100 ft. away.' Its shallow root- 

 system renders it liable to be thrown by wind. The tree is browsed by camels 

 and lopped for camel fodder. It is sometimes badly attacked by Loranthus. 



Natural reproduction. Under natural conditions germination ordinarily 

 commences early in the rainy season and may continue until late in the rains. 

 If the seeds are exposed to full sunlight germination is usually prompt and 

 complete, but under shade it is delayed, and seed may lie ungerminated until 

 the following year. In full sunlight, however, there may be high mortality 

 if dry weather occurs after rain during or shortly after germination, and the 

 survival of the seedlings is surer in a moderate growth of grass and weeds 

 than if they are fully exposed to the sun, though their development is impeded. 

 The ideal conditions for natural reproduction appear to be loose fairly moist 

 soil, free from weeds, under light shade preferably from the side, the shade 

 being removed when the seedlings have established themselves. 



The sporadic nature and uncertainty of natural reproduction in most 

 localities is noticeable. Seedlings in various stages are occasionally met with, 

 but considering the large quantities of pods produced natural reproduction 

 is decidedly scanty. It is probable that insect attacks account for this to a large 

 extent, and an experiment carried out at Dehra Dun appears to support this 

 view. Pods which were knocked off the trees by heavy rain in March were 

 placed on a plot of ground which had been previously dug up, germination 

 being thus favoiu-ed. The pods, which were left uncovered as under natural 

 conditions, gradually dehisced and the seed began to fall out in May, but by 

 July every seed had become badly attacked by insects, and not a single one 

 germinated, although the plot was kept under observation until the end of 

 the year. Drought is no doubt also a fruitful cause of failure, in dry localities 

 and on stiff or shallow soils, particularly during germination and in the early 

 seedling stages. Heavy shade, in retarding germination and thus prolonging 

 the period during which the seed is exposed to insect attacks, is another 

 adverse factor. 



Artificial reproduction. Albizzia Lebbek can be grown by direct 

 sowings and by transplanting from the nursery, but experiments at Dehra 

 Dun showed the former to be the more successful, as transplanting checks the 

 growth to some extent. It was found that transplanting could be carried out 

 successfully either by pruning the root and stem or by leaving them intact ; 

 in the latter case it is advisable to use small plants during the first rainy season, 

 owing to the length of taproot. If pruning is carried out the stem should be 

 cut down to about 2 in. from ground-level and the taproot pruned to a length 

 of about 9 in. The seed may be sown in the nursery in March- April in drills 

 not less than 9 in. apart, the beds being watered regularly but moderately and 

 kept well weeded ; the young plants will be ready to transplant early in the 

 rainy season. 



