134 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



like the Bartlctt, which turn black, and should alwaj's be cut away as 

 goon as discovered, though it is not always a certain cure. The summer 

 blight comes suddenly upon leaves which are apparently as healthy as any 

 upon the tree. These leaves turn black as by a sunstroke, and all of my 

 observations, during a good many years engaged in pear culture, I have 

 failed to discover that the blight was caused by au insect. 



The Ailanthus Tree. 



Solon Robinson read the following anathema upon what the writer calls 

 the aihmlhus nuisance : 



" There is an annual outcry against these poisonous trees, yet our city 

 authorities seem unwilling to abate the nuisance, which, added to other 

 causes, at this time of the year, increases our bills of mortality. The 

 Ailanthus is admired for its graceful foliage, and rapid growth, (a reputa- 

 tion which it enjoys in common with some other pernicious weeds), and 

 also for being of such a poisonous quality that no bird or insect can exist 

 ■under its shade. Now we may take a lesson from the im^tinct of these 

 creatures, wliicli teaches them to avoid whatever is hurtful. Our judg- 

 ment sliould lead us to remove these trees from our over-ci^owded cities, 

 where we need all the air and ventilation we can obtain. Unfortunately 

 Ailanthus trees are most plentiful where the population is the most dense. 

 Take for example the neighborhood of Varick Place, Macdougal street, 

 Cottage Place, or "Ailanthus Place," and the grave yard on Hudson and 

 Leroy streets, and many othnr localities too numerous to mention. A 

 malaria spreads from these poisonous groves, causing nausea, headaches, 

 and chills. Many owners of property planted these trees on their lots in 

 the older parts of the city, being ignorant of their qualities; but when 

 they remove to new brown stone houses up town, they never plant the 

 upas tree there. That is wise; to enjoy all the sun and air possible in 

 those aristocratic regions. But as the sun, and the air of Heaven are be- 

 Btowed on all alike by our Heavenly Father, why may not those who dwell 

 in the localities above named, enjoy them also, and breathe more freely 

 during our hot midsummer months, even in this crowded city?" 



Mr. Solon Kobinson said, I have introduced this letter for the purpose of pro- 

 voking discussion, not because I agree with this writer, for 1 hold quite 

 the contrary opinion. I am aware there is a short period during which 

 the odor of the ailanthus blossoms, and I am also aware that trees in a 

 city are among the necessities of life, and this species can be easily grown 

 w'hcre no other will exist. I do not believe the effluvia of the ailanthus is 

 malarious, and if injurious to health only so in a very slight degree. I 

 believe the growth of these trees absorbs ten times as much malaria from 

 the streets as it is possible for them to give forth from their blossoms. It 

 is a law of Nature that growing plants purify the air. Without them man 

 could not exist upon the earth. Without them in cities, people cannot 

 enjoy health. I should consider the destruction of the ailanthus trees in 

 cities, simply because the odor of the blossoms is unpleasant to the olfac- 

 tory nerves of a few persons, an act of as great barbarism, as it would be 

 to cut down all other shade trees, because they are infested wit!i c;iter- 

 pillars for a few days in the year. I also recommend planting ailanthus 



