412 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTOURE 
plant, the leaves being gathered for tanning, and it might be found useful for the 
same purpose in this country. 
Easily propagated by divisions of the plant. As the sumach thrives in lands 
underlaid with gravel to great depth where many plants dry up during long, dry 
summers, it would seem more than probable it could be grown in the dry, sandy 
soil of the West. 
Aesculus Californica—Dwart Buckeye. There are several varieties of the 
s3uckeye which may be grown to advantage in dry locations; one in particular, a 
dwartf-growing sort, is abundant along the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada in 
California, in such locations that have but little moisture. 
While this does not make a tree, and is considered as without value, yet it 
might be one of the best “nurses” for the semi-arid lands where it would probably 
succeed. 
The Ailantus, or Tree of Heaven, so much disliked for the strong, disagree- 
able odor of the flowers when in blossom, would doubtless grow there, as it rap- 
idly covers high dry rocky points and very poor soils, growing in gravel in the 
Middle States, as well as in rich, moist locations. 
It is propagated by seed or by suckers, both of which it produces in great 
abundance. The Ailantus is used in Russia in the semi-desert lands to fix the 
sands, which are so shifting under desert winds. 
It is not generally known that the Ailantus has a beautiful grain, taking a 
fine polish, and were there a sufficient quantity of the wood to supply a market it 
would sell at a high price for some kinds of lumber. The tree naturally grows 
upright for about sixteen feet, and then forms a round head with tropical foliage. 
As a timber tree it should be planted thickly, which would force it into a tall, up- 
right body, but as a “nurse” for other trees, it would be better to keep it headed 
very low or cut off at the ground to force out more suckers. This is one of Chi- 
na’s contributions to America. 
The Barberry grows readily from seed and offshoots, is verv hardy, of quick 
growth, and might adapt itself to dry regions. It spreads from underground 
stems, which would be increased by layering, if desired. 
The Box Elder—Negundo. This tree prefers a moist location, growing 
freely along the margin of streams in all Western States, occasionally making 
quite a large spreading tree, although usually not more than twenty feet high, and 
of little value for timber, as the wood is quite soft. 
It grows well under cultivation all over the West, and would do its part in 
paving the way for something better. 
It seeds freely and is thus propagated; is of rapid growth and being of the 
family of maples, its sap contains sugar, for which it is grown in some localities. 
Among wild fruits, the numerous wild plums are quite useful in supplying 
shade, shelter and vegetable mould for future trees of greater value, besides sup- 
plying fruit for birds and some for familv use. 
The Chickasaw Plum, Prunus Chicasa; Wild Plum, Prunus Americana; Wild 
Red Cherry, Prunus Pennsylvania; Wild Black Cherry, Prunus seratina, all grow 
readily from seed, or may be obtained from the nurseries. The two latter trees 
make valuable lumber. 
