ROB 
ROB 
ROBINIA (Linn.) Nat. Ord. legu- 
mnosa. There are two species of Ro- 
binia which claim to rank among the best 
of our ornamental trees | they are 11. 
pseudacacia and hispida. The first is 
commonly known as the thorn acacia, 
and, for its delicate, bright green, pinnate 
foliage, and numerous pendent racemes 
of odorous white flowers, is much es¬ 
teemed in the garden. This acacia, re¬ 
garded as a timber tree, is worthy of 
more consideration than is commonly 
given it. In the earlier stages of its 
growth the progress is more rapid than 
that of most others, and thus the tree 
arrives at a useful size in a comparatively 
short space of time, added to which, the 
strength and durability of the timber, 
when well seasoned, is at least equal to 
oak. In an unseasoned state, it is but 
little inferior, the proportions being, in 
stiffness, acacia 99 — oak 100, and in 
strength 96—100. A piece of unseasoned 
acacia, two feet six inches long, and an 
inch square in the vertical section, broke 
when loaded with a weight of 247 pounds 
avoirdupois. Its medium cohesive force 
is about 1L500 pounds. {Diet, of Arch .) 
The durability of the acacia, even in the 
most trying positions, is beyond question 
very great, and for piles or gate posts, it 
is decidedly the best material which can 
be used. The American shipbuilders 
esteem it greatly, and employ it for tree¬ 
nails, and was it more abundant, there 
is no doubt of its fitness for other pur¬ 
poses. The branching habit of the tree 
would render it suitable for knees, foot- 
hooks, or other positions in which com¬ 
pass timber is required. Cobbett paid 
much attention to the tree, and by him it 
was spoken of under its American name, 
the locust tree. The wood being close- 
grained, hard, beautifully veined, and 
susceptible of a high polish, is also 
adapted for cabinet work; yet, with all 
these qualifications, it is very little grown, 
otherwise than as an ornament, in this 
country. The only reason by possibility 
assignable for this neglect, is perhaps 
found in the liability of the tree to injury 
from heavy storms of wind, when the 
upper branches not unfrequently are 
blown off, slipping out at the articulation 
with the main stem; this objection may 
be sufficiently cogent to account for the 
few attempts made to raise large timber, 
but though ever so forcible in this re¬ 
spect, it does not prevent much useful 
stuff .of a smaller size being grown, nor 
indeed does further injury arise even in 
the worst cases, beyond the loss of the 
parts broken, for the tree continues to 
grow uninterruptedly, however much 
damaged. This inclination to stole 
seems to fit it equally for coppice 
wood, and that it may be profitably cul¬ 
tivated in this way has been sufficiently 
proved; cut over at five or six years, it 
breaks again with the utmost freedom, 
and forms capital straight poles, very 
durable, and tall enough for all ordinary 
purposes. The acacia has another good 
quality, it may be grown on soils that 
will not produce oak, chesnut, or other 
hard woods, for but little difference is 
observable whether grown on wet or dry 
lands. Like all other woods, the dura¬ 
bility of this is materially improved by 
barking, and its value in this respect 
pays for the trouble of peeling. Bor 
rustic work, acacia poles are excellent; 
their rough exterior, the ease with which 
they are wrought, and the length of time 
they remain sound, renders them pe¬ 
culiarly fitted for such purposes. Esta¬ 
blished trees produce seed in abundance, 
and their multiplication is consequently 
a very easy matter; it should be sown in 
Eebruary or March, in beds, on a sandy 
soil, covering the seed about an inch 
deep, and in the following spring the 
young plants will be fit for removal to 
nursery rows. Here, on account of their 
rapid growth, more space should be 
allowed than is usual with forest trees of 
the same age, especially if they are likely 
to remain undisturbed for a longer period 
than two years; eighteen inches between 
the plants, and three feet between the 
rows, will not be too much; and in 
planting, the tap-root should be taken 
off, for in light, deep soils, this runs so 
far downwards as to render their subse¬ 
quent removal difficult. Eour or five 
years 5 old plants are the best for final 
planting, and if they are intended for 
timber, the planting should be rather 
