THE LOCUST TREE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3037, 26 March 1917, Page 8

THE LOCUST TREE

One of the most valuable trees is the carob or locust tree. It grows ajl round the Mediterranean and has been successfully introduced into other countries. It would probably flourish in the warmer parts of Now Zealand, It bears largo pods whioh besides suods contain a "sweet jolly, rich in sugar and protoids. All kinds of stock "and poultry cat tho pods greedily and, in some places it is almost the only feed given to working horses, five or six pounds'weight of the iwds beinj» sufficient each day. A large quantity <& seed from Cyprus has 'been obtained by the Mayoress's Patriotic OoiamiUoe, and made up into packets each containing; 50 or more , seeds, which will bo sold for one shilling. Farmers and gardeners cannot do better than fey a packet. If successfully iaireqlucMl into t the Dominion tlio tree would be «f enormous economic value. The seeds should bo planted in spring, in lime/ or limed soil in a suaiiy placn. Ti» tree docs not transplant 'rea4ily, ajjd so the seeds should be sawn where it is intended the trees should \a grown. Until grown sufficiently the trees should /bo protected from, stock. Tbo sed itself is about the siz© of ;i coffee berry, chocolate in colour,'.and of tho same hardness.