[105] 



The fierce acacia. Robiniaferox, [Translator's note: now Caragana spinosa] is a 

 shrub about five feet tall with paripinnate leaves and oblong pointed leaflets that are close 

 together. The thorns are stiff, slender, an inch long and sharp as steel. The flowers are 

 yellow, solitary or infrequently paired, and almost sessile. The calyx forms a tube 

 terminating in five small teeth. 



FLOWERS: in April and May. 



RANGE: la Daourie [Translator's note: possibly the Daurian forest steppe in 

 Siberia and Mongolia]. Cultivated in gardens and in botanical institutes. 



USES. The usefulness of the locust tree has made it a very common tree in all of 

 France. Its wood is sought after by dealers in turnery because it has a fine grain, polishes 

 well, and can be stained. But the tree is fragile and strong winds are lethal to it. The bark 

 has a sweet flavor comparable to liquorice. It's an emetic. 



CULTIVATION. The seeds of the locust tree come up very well in open ground. 

 However in the north of France it's prudent to cover the seed beds during the first winter. 

 Seeds of the other trees are planted in trays. The chamlagu suffers from the cold in 

 northern France. It's appropriate to wait until the third year before setting it out in open 

 ground. In general these trees prefer deep gentle soil, an exposure that's warmer rather 

 than cooler, especially one that's sheltered from strong winds. 



KEY TO PLATES. 



638. Locust tree. 1. Calyx and stamens. 2. Pistil. 



639. Chamlagu acacia. 1. Calyx and pistil. 



640. Fierce acacia, 1 . Calyx and pistil. 



