AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF ACACTIAS. or 
myalls thrive in California, especially on the sand hills, where they 
endure hard conditions. They would succeed on the Carissa Plains 
of San Luis Obispo and on the west side of the San Joaquin ‘Valley. 
In some parts of California albizzias have become naturalized, 
have fixed the sand, furnish forage, and still continue to extend them- 
selves. On the sand dunes about a mile north of Morro Rock, San 
Luis Obispo County, Albizzia lophantha, self-seeded from a few door- 
yard trees 45 years ago, has gradually extended over about 50 acres. 
Each plant was browsed down to a mere green mat, which, like 
Thoreau’s famous wild apple tree, finally become so wide across that 
the enemy could not bite off the central shoot, which then took heart 
of grace, grew high, became a tree, and seeded a new area. 
The adaptability of these forage-yielding acacias and albizzia to 
the deserts of Mojave and Colorado can be determined, of course, 
only by actual trials. Butit is not unreasonable to hope that several 
such exotic species may hold the soil and furnish forage at the same 
time. 
In planting care should be taken to adhere closely to the few species 
which have been mentioned as valuable for forage, because some of 
the acacias are poisonous and sheep and cattle have been killed by 
eating the green buds. 
SHELTER BELTS. 
Tn all regions of brisk winds and a high rate of evaporation shelter 
belts are necessary to successful agriculture. In New Zealand the 
larger acacilas are generally preferred to eucalypts for shelter-belt 
planting about orchards and fields; they take less from the soil, and 
in consequence crops can be grown closer to them. Acacia decurrens 
in its several varieties is best suited for this purpose, the seed to be 
sown where it is desired that the trees shall stand. . 
Some of the smaller acacias form excellent hedges and barriers, 
requiring almost no pruning and no irigation. There are about 40 
species well adapted to hedge purposes, and their local names testify 
to their effectiveness—‘wait a bit,’ ‘“‘dead finish,” and ‘‘kangaroo 
thorn.” Acacia armata is well adapted to the coast districts, and 
while it is graceful and seemingly harmless it constitutes an impene- 
trable barrier. Acacia furox is a South African species which forms 
an especially good hedge. Acacia arabica forms large, strong bar- 
riers. Even the thornless and very ornamental acacias can be 
grown close to the ground and become protective barriers as well as 
attractive masses of bloom in their flowering season. The fragrant 
Acacia farnesiana is often used for hedges, and Acacia cultriformis, 
A. cyanophylla, and A. baileyana are beautiful specimens for large 
barriers. ; 
