1538 
Celtis australis (Ulmaceae), 48662. From Monte- 
video, Uruguay. Seeds presented by Sr. Luis Gulllot, 
Dlreccion General de Paseos Publicos. The nettle tree 
is one of the best trees for replanting forests be- 
cause of "its rapid growth, even in poor and rocky soils. 
The value of its products (wood, leaves, and fruits) 
soon compensates for the expense incurred in planting 
and cultivating it. 
In the temperate zone, to which it is best suited, 
the nettle tree does well in any exposure and in any 
soil. Its different ways of propagation allow the 
grower to choose the method of planting whioh is best 
adapted to the local conditions and to the soil. The 
tree does well in soils where other trees grow only 
with difficulty, and helps to cover rocky and arid 
ground. When grown on the pollarding system or in 
groups of coppice shoots, it supplies material for 
the manufacture of agricultural implements. Each part 
of the tree is of value and supplies useful material: 
the wood, by reason of its hardness, fine grain, deli- 
cate color, elasticity, and resistance, is excellent 
for turning and cabinet-making; the leaves are valu- 
able as fodder, especially in seasons and districts In 
which there Is a shortage of green fodder; cattle and 
goats willingly eat the young leaves, which when fresh 
contain 6.30 per cent of nitrogenous substances, 0.13 
per cent of fat, and 19.69 per cent of carbohydrates. 
Nearly every year the nettle tree gives an abundant 
crop of stone fruit very rich in sugar (39.40 per cent 
when fully ripe), which makes a very useful foodstuff 
for livestock, especially in districts where it is not 
possible to include sugar in the rations. The kernel 
contains 67.10 per cent of fat, that is to say, 7.02 
per cent of that of the entire fruit. When ground,, 
the stones yield about 10 per cent of fat, but if the 
kernels are separated from the woody part this may 
amount to 60 per cent. In this case, cakes containing 
about 12 per cent of protein, 12.4 per cent of fat, 
and 48.5 per cent of nitrogen-free extract, are ob- 
tained. The oil extracted may be used for various 
purposes. The nettle tree should be preferred to all 
other trees for replanting forests, and offers means 
of rapidly covering bare ground with plant growth. The 
speedy and large remuneration promised by its products 
may serve as an attraction to private landowners who 
wish to help in the regeneration of Italian forests. 
(Adapted from Degli Atti M. , Anali della Regia Scuola 
Superlore di Agricoltura in Porticl, 2d. series, vol. 
8, p. 1.) 
