ARBORICULTURE 



103 



ANALYSIS OF CATALPA WOOD BY J. N. 

 HURTY, M. D.. PH. D.. ANALYTICAL 



CIIKMIST. 



Indianai)ulis, April 2, 1900. 



Sample furnished by J. I'. Brown. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 13.97 



Ash 0.72 



Petroleum ether extract 0.35 



This extract was of a light yellow color and 

 very faint fat odor. It was free from 

 glucosides, alkaloids, free organic acids 

 and chlorophyll. 



Ether extract 0.36 



The ether extract had a light brown color, 

 resinous appearance and slight aromatic 

 odor. It contained no chlorophyll, alka- 

 loids, glucosides or organic acids. It 

 seemed a resin. 



Alcohol extract 4.06 



This extract had a dark brown color, woody 

 odor. It contained a glucoside, no alka- 

 loids, no tannin. Contained resinous 

 matter. 



Water extract 3.67 



This extract was of dark brown, almost 

 black color, faint aromatic odor. 

 Lignin, cellulose, etc 76.87 



100.00 

 Remarks. — It is probable that the fat and the 

 resinous matters are the preservative in Catalpa 

 wood. J. N- HtJRTY. 



A DLCAYKD CATALPA TKKi:. 



Caused by persistent dead branch. .See page 1*26, 

 "Decay of the Catalpa." 



MANAGEMENT OF CATALPA 

 PLANTATIONS. • 



TWO ADVERSE THEORIES. 



Almost every artificial forest plantation 

 in America has been made upon the old 

 theory that side branches of trees must be 

 eliminated by close planting; that forest 

 conditions must be maintained by the 

 dense shade of many trees. Such is the 

 theory adopted by the United States For- 

 estry Bureau in a recent report. 



The majority of such plantings has 

 been at 4x4 feet distant with but com- 

 paratively little thinning. 



We now have in consideration the Ca- 

 talpa tree which, when once established, 

 is a remarkably strong, vigorous, grow- 

 ing tree. At 4x4 feet distance, or 16 

 square feet surface for each tree, the 

 roots will occupy all the ground in two 

 years after planting. 



In four years there will be a struggle 

 for existence among the roots and a cor- 

 responding decrease in vitality and power 

 to produce an efficient top. 



Forest conditions are thus maintained 

 at the expense of wood growth. Every 

 plantation so made has been a failure and 

 always must be. 



The theory adopted by Aboriculture 

 is directly opposed to this. 



A strong root system must be de- 

 veloped and ample room given the trees, 



