﻿AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF ACACIAS. 31 



myalls thrive in California, especially on the sand hills, where they 

 endure hard conditions. They would succeed on the Carissa Plains 

 of San Luis Obispo and on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. 



In some parts of California albizzias have become naturalized, 

 have fixed the sand, furnish forage, and still continue to extend them- 

 selves. On the sand dunes about a mile north of Morro Rock, San 

 Luis Obispo County, ATbizzia lophantTia, self-seeded from a few door- 

 yard trees 45 years ago, has gradually extended over about 50 acres. 

 Each plant was browsed down to a mere green mat, which, like 

 Thoreau's famous wild apple tree, finally become so wide across that 

 the enemy could not bite off the central shoot, which then took heart 

 of grace, grew high, became a tree, and seeded a new area. 



The adaptability of these forage-yielding acacias and albizzia to 

 the deserts of Mojave and Colorado can be determined, of course, 

 only by actual trials. But it is not unreasonable to hope that several 

 such exotic species may hold the soil and furnish forage at the same 

 time. • 



In planting care should be taken to adhere closely to the few species 

 which have been mentioned as valuable for forage, because some of 

 the acacias are poisonous and sheep and cattle have been killed by 

 eating the green buds. 



Shelter Belts. 



In all regions of brisk winds and a high rate of evaporation shelter 

 belts are necessary to successful agriculture. In New Zealand the 

 larger acacias are generally preferred to eucalypts for shelter-belt 

 planting about orchards and fields; they take less from the soil, and 

 in consequence crops can be grown closer to them. Acacia decurrens 

 in its several varieties is best suited for this purpose, the seed to be 

 sown where it is desired that the trees shall stand. 



Some of the smaller acacias form excellent hedges and barriers, 

 requiring almost no pruning and no irrigation. There are about 40 

 species well adapted to hedge purposes, and then local names testify 

 to their effectiveness — "wait a bit," "dead finish," and "kangaroo 

 thorn." Acacia armata is well adapted to the coast districts, and 

 while it is graceful and seemingly harmless it constitutes an impene- 

 trable barrier. Acacia furox is a South African species which forms 

 an especially good hedge. Acacia arabica forms large, strong bar- 

 riers. Even the thornless and very ornamental acacias can be 

 grown close to the ground and become protective barriers as well as 

 attractive masses of bloom in their flowe/ing season. The fragrant 

 Acacia farnesiana is often used for hedges, and Acacia cultriformis, 

 A. cyanophylla, and A. bailey ana are beautiful specimens for large 

 barriers. 



