LABURNUM. 7 



sum laid out by a farmer in this seed, and 

 judiciously sown in his hedges or coppices, 

 would save his crops, as well as the planter's 

 young trees. 



Laburnums are recommended to be plant- 

 ed thick, for the purpose of drawing them up, 

 to form hop poles, which are said to be more 

 durable than those of most other wood. 

 Matthiolus speaks of its being used for mak- 

 ing the best bows. It is found to char re- 

 markably well ; and the wood is esteemed 

 also for making pegs, wedges, musical instru- 

 ments, and a variety of purposes for which 

 hard wood is required. 



The laburnum is easily propagated by seed, 

 which it produces in great plenty. It is usu- 

 ally sown in the month of March ; but young 

 trees may generally be found in abundance 

 where the trees have scattered their fruit. In 

 forming plantations for poles or timber, the 

 seeds should be sown where they are intended 

 to remain ; but for the shrubbery, or orna- 

 mental plantation, they should be removed, 

 and their roots shortened, which will cause 

 them to flower more abundantly. 



Children should be cautioned not to eat the 

 seeds in the green state, which are violently 

 emetic and dangerous* 



