•)44 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



ing and cultivate young timber-plantations, the varieties of trees, to 

 plant ; some plan by whicli may he obtain the plants and seeds so cheaplv 

 as to come within his reach. Also, report an estimated cash value of 

 such forest plantations at the respective ages of five, ten, twenty, and 

 thirty years. Also the best timber to plant for railroad sleepers and 

 telegraph poles; and the length of time required to grow them of suffi- 

 cient size for these purposes. Also to urge upon Congress the impor- 

 tance of repealing the acts imposing duties on foreign forest-tree seeds 

 and plants, also on foreign lumber. 



All of which your committee respectfully submit. 



d. c. scofield. 



Samuel Edwards. 



Arthur Bryant, Sr. 



THE LOCUST. 



A. BRYANT. 



The report of the Committee on Timber and Ornamental trees, read 

 at the last meeting of this Society, contained notice of the most valua- 

 ble and desirable trees suited to the climate and soils of Northern 

 Illinois. In the present essay, it is proposed to recommend the resump- 

 tion of the culture of the Common Locust, ( Robhiiapseudaiacia) and to 

 give some reasons for the opinion that it may be done with a reasonable 

 prospect of success. It is well known that a few years since, a species 

 of borer ( Ashopalus robinur.) peculiar to the Locust family, ravaged the 

 State, making with few exceptions, a clean sweep of all trees of the 

 kind. This of course discouraged its cultivation; and it may be doubt- 

 ed whether any locust trees have since been planted in the state. 

 When the insect had completed its destructive ravages it disappeared ; 

 and the locust trees which have grown up from suckers from the old 

 trees appear to be untouched by it. It was known in the Atlantic states 

 as far back at least as the beginning of the present century; but its ex- 

 istence does not appear to have prevented the cultivation of the treeV 

 Certainly the locust groves on Long Island are but little if at all injured 

 by it. There seems to be reason to believe that if it should reappear in 

 Illinois, it will be less destructive than heretofore. It appears to be 

 generally true that in their firsi inroads upon a jjart of the country where 

 they were previously unknown, insects and vermin of all descriptions 

 commit greater ravages than at suljsecjuent times. Thus the canker 

 worm at its first appearance in the orchards of Northern Illinois about 

 eighteen forty-five, did far greater mischief than it has ever done since, 

 although it is still among us. The rose-bug afterwards overspread the 

 country, and did much damage to fruit trees; but soon entirely disap- 

 peared. Many of course remember the plague of fleas, thirty or more 

 years since, when they pervaded the whole land, as omnipresent as the 

 frogs of Kgypt. 



It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the great value and durability of 

 locust timber — they ;ire already well known. The growth of the tree 



