FOREST TREES. 95 
the same rule. The idea advanced by some, that 
clipping will develop thorns upon thornless plants, 
seems to have its foundation in fancy rather than in 
fact. The armature of the Honey Locust, however 
desirable in a hedge plant, is a nuisance in an orna- 
mental or timber tree. Some of the trees bristle 
with thorns to such a degree that not even a squirrel 
can ascend them. The clippings from hedges should 
be gathered up and burned, since the thorns are not 
only likely to pierce the feet of animals, but are strong 
and sharp enough to penetrate the upper leather of 
the boots or shoes of the unlucky individual who 
may chance to tread on them. 
The Honey Locust is dicecious, the greater part of 
the trees producing no seed. Young trees are easily 
raised by sowing the seed in the fall or spring. Some 
recommend scalding the seed before sowing. I have 
never found this necessary, and have known it to be 
destroyed by so doing. 
2. Gleditschia monosperma— Water Locust. 
Thorns, slender, mostly simple; leaflets, ovate or 
oblong; pods oval and seeded, without pulp. 
The Water Locust is a smaller tree than the Honey 
Locust, which it greatly resembles. It is found in 
Southern Illinois, and southward, growing princi-, 
pally in the swamps which border the rivers. It 
grows to the height of fifty or sixty feet. Its wood is 
inferior to that of the preceding species, and is sel- 
dom used where it is most common. 
