98 REPORT OF THE 



I hope the coming year will furnish satisfactory results to 

 our experiments. 



Near the bridle road leading from Nethermead arches ti> 

 the farm house may he found a variety of thecarya, or hickory, 

 Datura] order Inglandacse. The hickory, common in most 

 parts of the United States, is exclusively American. The dif- 

 ferent species grow hi a variety of soil, but resemble each 

 other in the qualities of their timber. So close is the re- 

 semblance that no difference can be detected in the grain or 

 color of the wood; they are all heavy, and combine, though 

 in different degrees, the qualities of hardness, strength and 

 elasticity. They have also in common the disadvantages of 

 speedy decay when exposed to heat and moisture, and a 

 peculiar liability to injury from worms. 



For new plantations of these trees the nuts should be 

 planted in cold frames in the Fall, as they do not transplant 

 well, and it would be best to use a four-inch pot for each nut 

 before putting in the frame, as if sown in the ground they are 

 sure to be discovered by rats, mice or squirrels, who are cun- 

 ning in hunting them up. When transplanted the young trees 

 should receive clean culture until they are no longer in danger 

 of being smothered by weeds, Arc. 



In the same vicinity may be found a variety of the Castanea 

 Americus, or American chestnut: several of which have a 

 diameter of over four feet. In propagating this tree the same 

 methods and precautions should be taken as with the hickory. 



Near the temporary bridge and Quaker cemetery there are 

 several of the robinia psendacia, or common locust; the 

 locust is generally a medium-sized tree, although it grows in 

 Kentucky and Tennessee to the height of seventy feet, with a 

 diameter of three to four feet. It has been widely dessemi- 

 nated for ornament, and occasionally planted for the sake of 

 its very valuable wood. As an ornament it is very handsome 

 while young, but becomes homely as it advances in age. The 

 wood is hard, compact, and strong, and resists decay longer 

 than many other kinds. 



The varieties of the locust are white, yellow, black, and 

 honey, all differing principally in the durability of the wood. 



