FOREST TREES. 53 
Aesculus hippocastanum—Horse Chestnut. 
Corolla spreading, white, spotted with purple and 
_-yellow; petals, five; stamens declined; leaflets, 
seven. 
This is a large tree, sometimes reaching the height 
of eighty feet. It isa native of Northern Asia, and 
is cultivated in this country only for ornament. In 
Soils which suit it, it grows rapidly, but I have never 
known it to thrive on the Illinois prairies. The 
wood is soft and of little value, although applied to 
some uses in Europe. The nuts, ground and 
mixed with feed, are said to be a palliative, if nota 
cure, for broken-winded horses. The seeds must not 
be allowed to become dry previous to sowing. They 
may be planted in autumn, and covered with litter, 
to be taken off in spring, or buried through the 
winter where they will not become too wet. 
Aesculus glabra—Ohio Buckeye. 
Stamens curved, much longer than the pale yellow 
corolla; petals, four, upright; fruit, prickly; leaflets, 
five. 
The Ohio Buckeye is commonly a small tree, but 
often atiains the height of forty or fifty feet. It is 
one of the earliest trees to put forth its leaves, and 
flowers in spring, and is then very handsome; but it 
loses its foliage very early, sometimesin August. As 
a timber tree, it is one of the most worthless. Cattle 
are said to be sometimes killed by gorging themselves 
with the nuts. 
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