60 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED 



33800 to 33911— Continued. 



Having studied the subject of live fences, I have concluded that this tree will 

 serve admirably and be extremely valuable, for the following reasons in part: 



"The tree is long lived and grows quickly. If cut back it forms a dense ma^s 

 that light will not pass. The wood is extremely hard and elastic when alive; 

 no person or animal can break through. The thorns are so sharp that they are 

 used to extract slivers in preference to a needle. Is extremely ornamental. 

 Grows in any dry soil or sand. A seedling plant a very few weeks old, G inches 

 high, has a taproot growth of 18 inches or more. It seeks the moisture at any 

 depth and having reached it the first season is quite independent of surface con- 

 ditions. If soaked until sprouted, it will grow anywhere in any dry, poor, arid 

 clay or sandy soil, especially if sown in the late fall and the winter rains are 

 allowed to force the root growth. In the spring the taproot has then reached 

 permanent moisture. Sheep are very fond of the seed and new growth; goats 

 and horned cattle also, although the latter do not eat the seeds (it is the pod 

 they eat). The seeds are undigested and being soaked in the stomach readily 

 sprout; in this manner they are ^naturally sown. AMien a field has been plowed 

 and cleared of brush for sowing wheat, etc., the espinos sprout anew very 

 quickly. 



"Sheep and goats will leave a field having ample pasture and by preference 

 occupy these bare plowed lands solely to eat the new gi'owth of this tree; sheep 

 stand upon their hind legs and stretch their necks to reach the branches of this 

 tree, while goats jump ^"nto them or mount upon the backs of their fellows to 

 reach new growth. This feeding from the tree does no damage in any way; 

 it makes the tree more beautiful and increases the food growth. This is the 

 most valuable tree on a Chile farm. A branch can be used to stop up a fox or 

 hog hole or break in the fence; it also serves for lasting fence posts. Branches 

 tied together are used as drags to sow surface seeds, such as alfalfa; this pulver- 

 izes the land and covers the seed properly. For charcoal fuel it is the best. 



•'If pruned as a seedling it forms a most l)eautiful, round, ornamental, thorned 

 tree. The flowers appear before the leaves; all the branch wood is covered 

 with a dark yellow bloom which perfumes the surrounding air and gives the 

 appearance of a tree covered with yellow snow. The taproot of a plant a month 

 old will be from 12 to 18 inches long. It thrives in the dry lowlands and its 

 taproot finds the moistiu-e, no matter how deep. Its charcoal is the most durable 

 and hottest fuel known and leaves an abundance of long-lasting coals. 



"The wood is extra hard, flexible, and nonrotting in the air or in the ground. 

 It is used for fence posts, spokes of the heaviest carts and coaches, teeth of mill 

 cogwheels, and is extra useful for weaving into three wires for a fence that 

 nothing can pass. The new growth is very flexible and easily bent into wires; 

 when dry it is rigid. This fence lasts about five years, then the wood is removed 

 for fuel and new wood again placed. The old way, when the wood is abundant, 

 is not to employ wire but to pile the wood and branches against each other; as 

 the small branches dry and break off new ones are added on top. The heart 

 never rots. If an adult tree is headed back it grows in a beautiful, dense ball 

 and always retains this shape; if cut it quickly sprouts again. Its inner bark 

 is useful to tie up anj-thing. The bark, quintral, and moss are valuable dyes. 

 If cut it grows again before it is wanted. The bark boiled in water is used to 

 cure bruises and ulcers. The seeds are a digestive and a stimulant." 

 33834. Acacia cavenia (Mol. ) Bert. "Espino." 



"(No. 1162.) 'Espino.' From the Province of Valparaiso." 



See S. P. I. No. 33833 for description. 



