THE LOCUSTS AND YELLOWWOOD 



inch to two inches long, and this but one of a 

 cluster of thorns, keeps the trunk of the honey 

 locust sacred from climbing boys and from 

 browsing cattle. The honey locust is more 

 effective than a barbed wire for fencing. The 

 fruit is in the form of a flat, crooked reddish 

 .brown pod from seven to eighteen inches 

 long. These pods are often twisted, and are 

 carried easily by the wind over the top of 

 the snow, and young locusts are propagated 

 in this way at a great distance from the 

 parent tree. Beer has been made by fer- 

 menting the inner pulp of fresh pods, but it 

 is more of an experiment than a customary 

 practice. 



The wood of the honey locust is hard, strong, 

 and durable when it is placed in contact with 

 the soil ; it is used for posts and rails and for 

 making the hubs of wheels. 



The generic name, Gleditsia, was given to it 

 in honor of Gleditsch, a German botanist; and 

 the specific name, triacanthos (three-thorned), 

 refers to the branching thorns. 



The honey locust is not native in New Eng- 

 land, although it is found growing commonly. 

 Young trees spring up from the seeds of culti- 

 vated trees, and in this way it has spread and 

 increased its range. It is found growing wild 



