72 
LOCUST 
But these prominent excellencies are balanced by defects which seem 
difficult to remedy. When standing alone, the branches of the Locust are 
easily broken by the wind : if left to itself, its trunk, after attaining a cer- 
tain height, rarely preserves its shape ; and the limbs, ill arranged, of 
unequal size and very divergent^' give to its summit an uncouth and disa- 
greeable form. Its thin and restless foliage yield also a scanty shade : 
hence this tree is not proper for the avenues and alleys of extensive , gar- 
dens, nor for bordering public roads : for these purposes the Elm is infi- 
nitely superior ; for besides the facility with which it is fashioned by the 
pruning-hook, its tufted foliage casts a denser shade, and its wood is of 
great value to the wheel-wright. 
It is observed also that in plantations of Locusts whose verdure announ- 
ces the most vigorous vegetation, there are some trees which languish and 
turn yellow ; the cause of this malady it is difficult to assign. 
For several years past, the proprietors of the department of the Gironde 
and of the neighbouring country, have taken advantage of the rapid growth 
of the Locust by cultivating it in copses, which are cut at the age of four 
years. The young stocks are then large enough to be split into props for 
vines, which are found to last more than 20 years. Old trees are also 
lopped, and the suckers cut every third year for the same purposes. This 
vigorous vegetation is doubtless attributable to the warmth of the climate. 
The greatest inconvenience attending these copses is the thorns with 
which the young plants are armed, and by which their preparation for 
use is rendered more difficult and expensive than that of any other species. 
This disadvantage, however, is compensated by a double product obtained 
in half, the time. 
I must not omit to mention a new variety of Locusts, called Robinia 
pseudo-acacia spectabilis which in its early age is entirely destitute of thorns. 
This valuable variety is distinguished by the superior size of its leaves, 
and by the greater rapidity of its growth. Though its seeds produce stocks 
with thorns, it is still probable that they will disappear from the future 
generations of the tree: in the meanwhile, it may be multiplied by layers, 
or by forming small trenches in which the roots will send up shoots that 
may be afterwards separated from the parent tree. 
I need not say how r much this variety is preferable for copses ; the twigs, 
with their leaves, may also be safely given to cattle, who eat them with 
avidity. For the production of this variety, which gives a new value to 
the Locust, particularly in the south of France, we ate indebted to Mr. 
Descemet, a gentleman distinguished by his theoretical and practical 
knowledge of agriculture. 
It has been asserted that the most profitable manner of disposing of poor 
lands, too much exhausted to produce the Oak and other species of hard 
