Saga, AdeUanthera pavonina and A. bicolor .' — Are fast grow 
ing trees suitable for alternating with slower growing ones, such 
as Angsana, and cutting out later. Among these, A. bicolor is 
the best, having much more compact habit, and its close small 
deep green leaves give it a Very handsome appearance. A pavo- 
nina is of a much more straggling habit, and is not at all suit- 
able for a permanent shade tree. It is much more liable to para- 
sites and epiphytes than A . bicolor, however, itself possesses 
this defect in a large degree, and it is very liable to drop its bran- 
ches. But fdr quickly shading ground, whether to improve the 
Soil oo shade other plants either are very satisfactory. The 
branches which fall are usually small and though objectionable 
on a road do no harm to coffee or other bushes beneath them. 
Iheir timber is soft and useless. 
The two trees can be easily distinguished by their seeds which 
in A. pavonina are completely scarlet, in A. bitolor half black 
and half red* 
Albizzia molucCana. — Is a very well-known shade tree, 
growing very rapidly and attaining a great height. Its foliage 
is light and feathery so that it gives a very partial Shade. It is 
not at all liable to parasites or epiphytes owing to its smooth to 
bark The great defects it possesses are its liability to drop its 
large branches without any apparent reason, and the gteat dis- 
tance to which its roots stretch. The roots are usually close to 
the surface, and throw up shoots at a considerable distance front 
the main stem. If the trees are planted too neat the water-supply 
they taint the water especially during wet weather with a pecu- 
liar nauseous odour. The tree is generally raised from seed. It 
has long been in use as a shade tree for coffee. 
Waringin, Ficus benjamina .^— Some of the defects of this 
beautiful tree have already been alluded to. Its way of throw- 
ing the rain down from its pendulous branches upon one spot is 
most objectionable. Its boughs often fall, even large ones and 
more freqently smaller bits. Its roots run very far and pene- 
trate into drains filling them up and disintegrating the brick 
work. It is also very liable to epiphytes, and to the attacks of a 
mistletoe {Viscutn). Its rapid growth, easy handling, and 
beautiful form will, however, always make it popular. It can 
be raised from seed or cuttings. The seed is dispersed by birds 
and bats and young plants can be found in many spots, which 
are easily removed, and grow fast. 
The pEEPijL, Ficus religiousa . — Is free from most of the 
defects of the Waringin, and if cut back constantly will form 
a beautiful tree especially suited for places near the sea. It 
seems to be long lived and is seldom injured by parasites or 
epiphytes nor does it spoil the roads by shedding the rain all 
in one spot like the Waringin. Its roots are however nearly as 
troublesome, and seedlings growing in brickwork where the 
seed is often deposited by birds soon breaks it up. It is a fast 
grower. 
