THE ECONOMIC HOUSE 41 
the trees naturally, or is accelerated by making incisions in the stems 
and branches. The harvest lasts about six weeks, and during that 
time it is said the Moors live almost entirely on the gum. Six ounces 
of gum are said to be sufficient to support a man for 24 hours. Gum 
arabic forms an important article of export, and is used extensively 
in occidental countries for stiffening and giving luster to silk, crepe, 
and other fabrics. 
Acacia armata, or KANGAROO THORN, is an excellent hedge tree. It 
will stand considerable drought, and has been found valuable in warm 
countries for reclaiming sand dunes. 
Acacia decurrens, var. dealbata, or SILVER WATTLE, is a native of 
Australia, where it is highly valued as a street tree. Its bark is rich in 
tannin, and forms an important article of Australian export 
Acacia Farnesiana, or PopiNac, is an American acacia that has been 
naturalized throughout the tropics. It has become a pest in Hawaii. 
The pods are rich in tannin. The flower heads are exceptionally fra- 
grant and are used by the French in perfume making. In Italy the 
flowers are used in making the pomade known as “Cassie.” 
Acacia longifolia, or SYDNEY GOLDEN WATTLE, is used in Australia as 
a street tree. It furnishes a tannin especially valued in tanning heavy 
leathers. 
Achras Sapota, or SAPODILLA, is a member of the Sapotaceae, the 
family to which the southern buckthorn of Illinois belongs. The 
sapodilla is a native of tropical America, but is now cultivated through- 
out the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its fruit, which 
is offered in the Florida markets, is about the size of an orange, and is 
sweet and delicious when ripe. An early Spanish writer described 
it as being the best of all fruits, combining the perfumes of “honey, 
jasmin, and lily-of-the-valley.” The tree is evergreen, and yields a 
hard durable wood Timbers of it have been found in an excellent 
state of preservation in the ancient Mayan ruins of Yucatan. The 
bark yields a milky latex, known as chicle, which forms the basis of 
much of our chewing-gum. 
Acocanthera spectabilis (Acokanthera spectabilis), or WINTER-SWEET, 
a native of Natal, belongs to the Apocynaceae, the family to which our 
common dogbane belongs. The winter-sweet, like most other mem- 
bers of the family, is poisonous. The flowers have the odor of jasmine, 
and are much used in perfume making. The plant is easily grown in 
California and Florida. 
Adenanthera pavonina, or RED SANDALWOOD TREE, belongs to the 
Leguminosae, the family to which our locust tree belongs. This tree is 
a native of tropical Asia, where it grows to great size. It is highly valued 
for its timber. A red dye is obtained from it by rubbing the wood on 
wet stones. The bright red seeds, known as “Circassian seeds,” are 
used in making necklaces. They are also used as a standard of weight 
by jewelers, each seed weighing 4 grains. 
Afzelia bijuga also belongs to the Leguminosae. It is a native of 
