420 [Assembly 



a tree did not exist. But a few years since a tree was discovered 

 in the East Indies, wliicli, it is believed, gave rise to the wonder- 

 ful accounts of the Upas tree. It was growing in a location where 

 there was a constant collection of carbonic acid gas. Consequently 

 all animals that came near it, inhaled this gas and died. There 

 is a tree on the Isthmus of Darien, which appears to have a simi- 

 lar effect upon animal life. 



The Tallow Tree. — This tree is found in China. It is called the 

 tallow tree because a substance is obtained from it resembling tal- 

 low, and which is used for the same purpose. '. t grows from 

 twenty to forty feet high. 



Lace-bark Tree. — In the West Indies is found a tree, the inner 

 bark of which resembles lace, or net-work. This bark is very 

 beautiful, consisting of layers which may be pulled out into a fine 

 white web, three or four feet wide. It is sometimes used for la- 

 dies' drtsses. 



The Varnish Tree, from which the black Japan varnish is ob- 

 tained, grows wild in China and Japan. It somewhat resembles 

 our ash. When these trees are seven or eight years old, they are 

 capable of supplying varnish. A single man can attend fifty trees, 

 which yield a pound of varnish each every niglit. 



There is a property in the varnish which operates injuriously 

 to the workmen, causing an inflammation to spread over their 

 bodies, and their heads to swell. To prevent these effects, they 

 rub their bodies with oil before going to work, besides preparing 

 themselves with a course of medicine. In addition to these pre- 

 cautions, they wrap their heads in cloth and dress themselves in 

 leather. 



All trees are liable to infirmities of various kinds, and an old 

 author mentions, among others, in rhyme : 



The calf, the wind-shock and the knot, 

 The canker, scab, scurf, £ap and rot. 



When your plantations are set out, they must be entirely free 

 from weeds, which should be cart fully pulled after every rain. 



Suckers must be separated from the mother roots with a sharp 

 knife or spade, and if carefully accomplished, may be transplant- 



