14 THE TREE PROPAGATOR AND PLANTER. 



The Acacia (Robin hi). 



This Acacia belongs to the same natural order as 

 Acacia proper, but differs in the construction of the 

 organs of fructification. The Acacia proper belongs to 

 the Linn, order Polygamia ; which means plants possess- 

 ing male and female flowers on the same plant separated ; 

 but the false Acacia, as it is called — the Robinia — belongs 

 to the Linn, order Diadelphia Decandria, which class of 

 plants possesses them complete, i.e. those having male 

 and female organs in the same flowers ; yet both of 

 these species bear seed-pods alike, and have the same 

 appearance as regards their foliage, the difference being 

 merely in the flower. 



The Acacia Robinia is as beautiful and hardy a tree 

 as any we possess, regarded as a park tree. The foliage 

 is pinnatind and of a slender construction, being of a 

 light green colour, and beautifully distributed over the 

 whole plant. The character of the tree merits it a 

 place in every well- devised park. The timber is of the 

 choicest description, and surpasses even the rosewood 

 for beauty of polish and markings in the grain. There 

 is no wood which can equal the Acacia as regards 

 excellence for choice cabinet-work, and it is almost as 

 hard as ebony — therefore not soon affected by damp or 

 heat, neither is it liable to the attacks of insects like 

 some others. 



They all bear handsome flowers of a white, yellow, 

 or red colour. They may be raised from seed, which 

 they produce freely. Some are propagated by cuttings 

 of the half- ripened young wood, struck in sand and peat 

 under a bell-glass, with a small amount of heat. The 

 better kinds may be grafted, or budded on the common 

 kind — the Pseudo-Acacia, which can be raised freely 

 from seed. 



As the seed is very hard, it is necessary to soak it 

 for a few hours in tepid water previous to sowing, 

 especially if the seed is saved in a hot climate. 



The seed of the common Acacia may be sown in the 

 open ground in fine sandy soil in a warm place, but it 



