Browne^ s Forest Trees of America. 



189 



propagated from seeds, or by cuttings of the roots ; but the former mode is 

 far more preferable, as the tree is not so liable to throw up suckers as when 

 produced by cuttings. The seeds should be sown, if possible, as soon as 

 they are gathered ; and if they are to be transported any great distance, 

 they may be sown in boxes of light earth, or sand and peat, protected under 

 glass. It will grow in any soil, though one that is light and somewhat 

 humid, and in a sheltered situation, is considered the best. In France, it is 

 said to thrive on chalky soils, and attain a larger size, where scarcely any 

 other tree will prosper. It grows with great rapidity for the first ten or 

 twelve years, producing annual shoots from three to six feet in length, and, 

 under favorable circumstances, it often attains a height of fifteen or twenty 

 feet in five or six years. Afterwards, its growth is much slower, which 

 renders it very valuable as a shade-tree, in situations of limited space ; 

 although there is the disadvantage of the unpleasant ordor of its flowers. 

 The leaves are not liable to be attacked by insects, which is a very great 

 desideratum, and, as we before remarked, they continue on the tree, and 

 retain their verdure till the coming of the autumnal frosts, when the leaflets 

 drop suddenly off and often leave the petioles on the tree some weeks 

 longer. 



Properties and Uses. — The wood of this species is very hard, compact, 

 of a deep red color, when old, resembling newly-wrought mahogany, and 

 is often beautifully veined with deep gold 

 color and red. It is susceptible of the finest 

 polish, and has a fine, satin-like lustre, which 

 renders it well suited for the purposes of cabi- 

 net-making. From its capability of being 

 raised on meagre and worn-out soils, and the 

 rapidity of its growth, it is thought that this 

 tree might be profitably cultivated for cabi- 

 net-wood, or to be treated as a coppice, to be 

 cut every third year for fuel. In France and 

 Italy, it is much valued for shading public 

 walks, and is planted for that purpose along 

 with the American tulip-tree, (Liriodendron,) 

 the horse-chestnut, the oriental plane, and Fig. 12. 

 other large-leaved exotic trees. It also graces 

 lawns and avenues in various parts of the United States, and succeeds 

 equally well as in its native country. 



Flowers of the Allan- 

 tus. 



The ailantus is a fine shade tree, and is planted very ex- 

 tensively in New York and Brooklyn; we hope to see it 

 oftener planted in the vicinity of Boston. It is far preferable 

 to the horse chestnut, abele, and some other trees. 



