SHADE TREES AND CATCH CROPS. 45 



coffee-shade standpoint this species is of possible interest on account of its extremely 

 rapid growth, which may render it useful for temporary shade. Belonging to the 

 Leguminosae, it is probably preferable for this purpose to the banana, castor-bean, or 

 indian corn. 



Aguacate (Mexico). (See Persea gratissima.) 



Alada (Coorg, India). (See Ficus hengalensis.) 



Albizzia elata. (See Albizzia procer a.) 



Albizzia julibrissin. 



Synonym. — Acacia julibrissin. 

 Acacia julibrissin is mentioned by Lock as though synonymous with Albizzia moluc- 

 cana. In reality the two species are held by botanists to be quite distinct, though 

 both are now referred to the genus Albizzia. 



Albizzia lebbek. 



Common names. — Bois a friture; Bois noir (French West Indies); Siris (British 

 India). 

 This species is in favor for coffee shade in the French islands of the East and West 

 Indies. The wood is harder and more valuable than that of A. moluccana and A. 

 stipulata, and the growth slower, though still quite rapid. A further disadvantage is 

 in the large spreading superficial roots and in the fact that the tree ultimately attains 

 great size. There is said, however, to be a smaller variety in Reunion and the West 

 Indies, the leaves of which furnish an excellent fodder for cattle. That they are 

 also a valuable nitrogenous manure is indicated by the following analysis credited by 

 Professor Lecomte to M. Grandeau. The table is based on 1,000 kilograms of dry 

 leaves: 



Kilograms. 



Nitrogen 18. 79 



Phosphoric acid 1. 40 



Potash 3.18 



Lime . . .* 37. 00 



Magnesia 2. 50 



From the trunk may be obtained a gum similar to gum arabic, and the wood is 

 hard, close-grained, veined with pink and red, and darkening with age. 



This small variety seems to be very different, in habit, at least, from the large form 

 which is extensively planted for shade in Egypt and India. To judge from the 

 specimen photographed in Porto Rico, it is much smaller, of a much more horizontal 

 and spreading habit, and has a rough, almost shaggy, bark. Such differences seem to 

 indicate specific rather than merely varietal distinctness. 



Albizzia moluccana. 



Common name. — Djeundjing laut (Java); Poon sikat (Banda); Sengoon laoot 

 (Malay). 

 As the specific name indicates, this tree is a native of the Moluccas, but is now 

 extensively planted in Java for coffee shade, and has also been introduced into 

 British India for the same purpose. It is noted for its extremely rapid growth. In 

 a single year it sometimes exceeds 15 feet, and in six years, according to Dr. 

 Fesca, it may attain over 80 feet (25 meters). The open, thin shade of this species is 

 currently believed to be peculiarly grateful to the coffee, and the fact that the leaf- 

 lets are closed at night is looked upon as a further advantage in permitting a freer 

 circulation of air, though the importance of these considerations in a country where 

 the shade trees are planted as far apart as in Java is scarcely to be taken seriously. 



