attractive of the acacias. The growth is rapid, but unfortunately the tree is 

 short-lived and begins to decline when many other trees are reaching the full 



glory of their maturity. 



ALBIZZIAS 



The albizzias were named after Albizzi, an Italian naturalist. They are 

 closely allied to the acacias and are grown chiefly for their handsome foliage 

 and attractive flowers. There are about twenty-five species in the tropical 

 and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. 



One of the most attractive species is the Constantinople acacia (Albizzia 

 julibrissin). It has a low and spreading growth with very finely divided 

 feathery leaves. The flowers, which are borne profusely in the summer, 

 occur in delicate pink heads which are crowded on the ends of the branches. 

 This tree reaches a height of about forty feet and is hardy especially in the 

 Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys on good, well-drained soil. 



This is one of the favorite trees of John McLaren, Superintendent of 

 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, who commends it as follows : 



"The full effect of the beauty of this most interesting tree is had 

 when it is planted on a rising ground, against a background of pine or 

 other dark foliage, in the full sunlight in which it seems to delight." 



BLACK LOCUST 



The black locust (Robinia jpseudacacia') is a native tree of the eastern 

 part of the United States which is known in Europe as the false acacia because 

 of its resemblance to the true acacia. The generic name is in honor of the Robin 

 brothers, who were arborists for one of the early French kings. It was intro- 

 duced into France by Jean Robin in about 1600 and became a favorite be- 

 cause of its beautiful flowers and foliage. In 1664, Evelyn, an Englishman, 

 in his Sylva, recommends black locust as "deserving a place among our avenue 

 trees, adorning our walks with its exotic leaves and sweet flowers; very hardy 

 against the pinching winter. It thrives well in His Majesty's new plantation 

 in St. James' Park." 



In the eighteenth century the value of the black locust for timber and 

 as a soil improver due to the nitrogenous nodules on its roots became recog- 

 nized. It was planted on an enormous scale in England and the prophesy was 

 made that it was destined to speedily replace most of the hardwood trees in 



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