C 115 ) 



and those then obtained are now in a most nourishing state f 

 having been received in the summer of 1826. 



Acacia, or Robinia. This genus comprises many beauti- 

 ful shrubs and trees, principally natives of Siberia and our. 

 own country, a few of which I will mention. 



Robinia fiseud-acacia, or Yellow Locust. This I mention 

 first, as being the most important. Its lofty stature, invalu- 

 able properties as timber for ships, and other purposes, are 

 well known to every one. In fact, it is to the northern 

 what the Live Oak is to the southern states, the English 

 Oak to Britain, and the Teak to India. The immense 

 and increasing demand is, however, fast sweeping away our 

 large forests of this valuable tree, and it is high time our 

 attention should be directed, in a national point of view, to 

 the re-planting of forests so invaluable to our commerce, and 

 so indispensable to our rising navy. For, unlike the Live 

 Oak, which advances with a slow pace, this is of rapid 

 growth, and soon attains to a size applicable to the various 

 parts of ship building. The attention of the British nation 

 has beea much attracted to this tree, and, within a few years, 

 millions have been planted in that country. Pamphlets have 

 been there published, pointing out its usefulness in a na- 

 tional point of view, and seem to have awakened them to a 

 sense of its importance, in re-placing the forests of the Oak, 

 which are gradually diminishing. Within a few years,, 

 many of our enterprising landholders have been devoting 

 their attention to planting extensive tracts with this tree, the 

 wood of which is in so much request for our shipping. An 

 acre of these trees, planted at two feet distant each way, will 

 contain 10,890; at three feet distant, 4,840 ; and at four feet 

 distant, 2,722 ; and it is said no appropriation of land is 

 more lucrative than that devoted to this purpose. Aside 

 from its usefulness, it forms one of the finest ornamental 

 trees, where those of a large size are required. Its fine 

 pinnated leaves, and long pendant clusters of white blossoms, 

 scenting the air with their fragrance, give it a just claim to 

 our admiration in this respect. 



Robinia viscosa, or Pale Red Flowering. This will at- 

 tain to the height of 15 feet, ad forms a highly ornamental 

 tree. It is easily known by its dark coloured and glutinous 

 bark. It commences flowering when not over five or six 

 feet in height, and the flowers, which are papilionaceous, 

 are of a pale red, mixed with white, hanging in pendant 

 clusters in the same naauner 33 tUe preceding. At this pe- 



