Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-15
The AlianIhuS Tree.


4 writer in the Tribune comes to the res
cue of this beautiful tree from the bad name
that some have given it, and very conclusive,
", 10 our Judgment, shows that whatever oh
lection may be urged against it as purely
ornamental tree, it has characteristics that
give it real value. It, free and rapid growth
is one Of these characteristics. As Is gene
rally known, the ailanthus is q native OF
India. ard was introduced here only about
twelveyear ago. Some OF Its qualities are thus
described by the writer in the Iglbune:-"it
is not q soft, worthless wood; on the contrary,
when seasoned, it Is firm, hard, strong and
durable Ii will make tence.postS nearly as
valuable as locust timber, eni when seasoned,
it will burn free 2 and give strong heat. Ii
is q good fuel"
If this description Of its qualities is cor
rect, as we believe it is, there is great force
in the recommendations and suggestions
which follow ia the article under notice. The
writer maintains that there are many barren
tracts on Long Island which haze never pro
duced any profit, hut which planted with the
alanthus tree, would in ten years supply an
annual cutting Of fence posts aud fuel worth
more than the prodGct Of the best farms
Such tracts indeed abound throughout car
country. The Tribune say:
We will instance one such tract, because,
it is one so often seen by numerous perrons
travelling from New York to Boston; and
because it lies so near that beautiful town.
the city Of New Haven, and in the very midst
Of the most cnterprisDg people 10 the world
Il ,,.rr,,.ip., ma pt1UprEs fnp
most money making, ia trade; the most neg
lCciful of any other equally educated people,
Of improvements OF the soil. Ii IS the sandy
plain, through which the railway passes from
New Haven to Mcrden, that we ai.uio 70;
once fine, cultivated, productive tract; BOW
a vast Of driftcd sand.
Upon this waste, we are confident that all
anlhus trees may be planted, with only a
wheel barrow load Of rich loan to a tree, AID
that in ten years the growth would not only
be such that it would hide the deSolate bar.
renness of the land, but would make it OF a
saleable value of 500 an aero.
Valuable suggestion are also contained in
the iOIlUwing:--
Upon a buudred hills, denudcd Of their
wood by Ii, Unsuitable wood consuming
dragon, the y ew Urk anu Ere TalIfCaui tue
ailanthus might be planted where no food
crop can 10 prOiitabIy cultivated, where /!
would bring q sure return to the planter
But Of ali places were it might be grown
moSt RAPIDLY, and to the greatest profit, We
must look 10 the great prairics Of the west.
There, where tie richest soil of the world
that is susceptible Of cultivation without II
riyati0n must lie waste for want Of wood, Is
systematic business Of trce-planting might &c
made the most profitable OF any ever Prac,
tiscd in tnis country. There we would not
c,ntinc the planting to this one tree, but Ger,
tainly would use it for the first plantation, Oh
account Of its easy production from seeds, its
rapid growth, it's hardy nature, withstaudin-
cold aud heat, vet and dry, and not being
liubIc to attacks OF insects. \ belt OF these
trees would afford shelter for the production
Of other more valuable Ones--,uch as locust,
oak, elm, cedar, pine, sugar maple, and trait
trees,