AILANTHUS OR TREE OF HEAVEN 15 



years and upwards have been attained. The bark, 

 too, usually presents a rugged, dirty appearance. 



Whether as an ornamental flowering tree or for 

 thriving in every part of the Metropolis, the Acacia 

 is one of the most valuable subjects. Home-grown 

 timber is of good quality, being strong, heavy, and 

 durable. It is of a pleasing greenish-yellow colour, 

 with brown veins, hard, compact, and susceptible of 

 a smooth, bright polish. Heart wood is formed when 

 the tree is quite young. The tough wood is peculiarly 

 suitable for making the wooden nails or pegs that are 

 used in ship-building, while for fence-posts it is one 

 of the most lasting of home-grown timbers. 



Seeds are produced freely by the Acacia, and should 

 be collected when ripe, and after becoming quite dry 

 stored in an equal quantity of sand till spring. The 

 young plants appear quickly and grow rapidly, requir- 

 ing thinning out during the second year. Plenty of 

 room will be required, as in a young state the Acacia 

 will frequently shoot up a couple of feet in a season. 



In light soils the Acacia will throw up shoots from 

 the base of the stem, and these may be taken advantage 

 of for the raising of young stock. 



Grafting is resorted to in the case of the smaller 

 growing kinds, such as inermis and some others. 



Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven 



(Ailanthus glandulosa) 



THIS tree flourishes in many of our London streets 

 and squares, and next to the Plane and Poplar 

 is perhaps the most commonly cultivated species. 

 Even in the worst smoke-infested parts, as in the 



