STATE HOKTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 99 



with, I think more cla}' than my own. As to the durability of the 

 wood I have but little experience. I have used it for bean poles for 

 the last three years with no sign of decaying. Cuttings from the 

 trees remain sound after having lain on the ground for three years. 



The catalpa is remarkably free from insects. For the first two 

 years there was an insect that ate the leaves, and some of the trees 

 were checked in their growth; since then, nothing of the kiud has 

 troubled them. While in Southern Kansas last fall, ray attention 

 was called to the fact that while the soft maple and newly planted 

 or unthrifty trees were much infested with the buprestus, the 

 catalpa, of which a great many had been planted, was entirely free 

 from them. I find it so with my own trees. 



It takes patience to raise a grove of trees, but the farmer can 

 not do a better thing for his farm than to raise a three or four acre 

 grove of catalpas; once raised, the problem of cheap fencing is solved. 

 With three barbed wires, a pole at the top and one or two at the 

 bottom, if it is intended to turn hogs, and he will have a good last- 

 ing fence, with but little outlay of money and not a great deal of 

 labor. As the trees get large enough for posts for sheds and other 

 out-buildings, their lasting nature will make them invaluable for the 

 purpose, as no framing or foundation will be needed. 



Mr. McPike — I do not understand why a tree of this kind 

 should be recommended when we have so many better ones. It is a 

 poor grower and in ray opinion worthless. Osage orange, maple, 

 walnut and black locust are superior to it. 



Mr. Hammond — I should regret to have it go out from this 

 Society that we condemn the Catalpa Speciosa as a timber tree, 

 when it is proving such a success wherever planted. It is a rapid 

 grower, outstripping even the soft maple, and as a shade or orna- 

 mental tree, is excelled by few. Mr. McPike doubtless has in mind 

 the tender catalpa which is comparatively a worthless tree. 



Mr. Crain — In Southern Illinois, the catalpa is indigenous to 

 the forests, and is a large and fine timber tree of the most durable 

 quality. 



Mr. Gillhara — I know a pair of posts now forty years in the 

 ground of this valuable wood, and, although very sraall in size, the}^ 

 are still sound. This tree is indorsed heartily by the best authorities 

 in the land; plant them, and the sooner, the better. 



