48 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTmAL SOCIETY. 



reached, years ago. a stage in their growth when it was deemed 

 profitable to cut them for fuel : and he is now cutting gooti-sized 

 wood for his own consumption in a grove only 30 yeai-s planted. 

 He has within a few years noticed a blight, which has proveii 

 fatal in many cases. ^ 



He gathers the cones in October, and, after thorough drying for 

 two months, shells and cleans the seed, and plants in the spring, 

 with a machine of his own construction. He thinks it pays a mo<i- 

 eratc interest on the iuvestmeut. and is acquainted with no other 

 tree that is equally adapted to the soil and climate of Cape Cod, 

 or that could take the place of the Pitch Pine. 



This tree, as we have remarked, is of slow growth, even under 

 favorable circumstances, and its rate of growth is retarded as you 

 approach the sea-shore, until, face to face with the ocean, it is so 

 slow that even a careful observer can scarcely see any cliange from 

 year to year. This is a discouraging fact ; but he who would dot 

 the sea-coast with groves as yet knows of no species that will root 

 itself in the moving sand, and flourish in defiance of ocean gales, 

 which spend their fury on the coast. Observation and somewhat 

 extended inquiries strongly favor the belief that there is no tree 

 so well adapted to take the place of the Pitch Pine, and to cover 

 the loose, sandy areas of our coast, as the once noted Ailanthus 

 {Ailanthus glandulosa). Being aware of the prejudice existing 

 against this tree, inherited chiefly from a former generation, let 

 us examine its merits, and render a verdict in accordance with the 

 facts. 



The Ailanthus is a deciduous tree. and. we are told, is abundant 

 in the northern provinces of China, and-indigenous to that country. 

 In 1750 it was introduced into Europe as an ornamental tree, and 

 was brought to this country about 1S20. From its rapid growth 

 and tropical appearance it soon became a favorite, and was 

 planted extensively in the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Provi- 

 dence, and Xewp>ort ; and the demand for the young trees far 

 exceeded the supply. As soon as the trees were old enough to 

 produce flowers it was discovered that they emitted a very offen- 

 sive odor, and the pollen which fell on the roofs of neighboring 

 houses rendered the water collected from those roofs unfit for drink- 

 ing or culinary purix)5es. On discovering these objectionable 

 characteristics, those who had been cherishing this rare exotic 



1 lids blisbt and ttsax Doiiced by Mr. Fay are doubtless caased bv ibe Pine Moth uf Xan 

 tadbet, (feluMi/nwtraaa). 



