FOEESTRY. 153 



The hardy catalpa, H. F. Roberts (Kansas Sta. Bui. lOS, pp. 99-140, ^j?s. 31). — 

 The author has brought together such information as is available to show the economic 

 value of the hardy catalpa ( Catalpa speciosa) for Western jjlanting. Although 2 forms 

 of catalpa have been known as indigenous to the United States for a long time, it was 

 not until the latter half of the nineteenth century that the two were considered as 

 specifically distinct. The systematic relationships of the hardy and other siiecies of 

 catalpa are discussed at some length, after which notes are given on the durability 

 of the timber of the hardy species. Evidence is presented which shows that for 

 posts, railroad ties, telegraph poles, etc., the timber exhibits great durability in con- 

 tact with the earth. In planting catalpa the seed should be sown in seed beds and 

 afterwards transplanted to the permanent plantation. In the earlier plantings the 

 trees were set at a distance of 4 by 4 ft., the idea being by close planting to cause the 

 trees to become naturally pruned and force the growth into a straight trunk. The 

 catalpa differs, however, from other forest trees in that its dead limbs are not readily 

 dropped. In order to secure clean, smooth trunks, systematic pruning is necessary, 

 which should be begun when the trees are 5 or 6 years old, and the limbs should be 

 cut off to a distance of 5 or 6 ft. from the ground. The proper distance for planting 

 is rather imperfectly known, and the results of a number of artificial plantations are 

 given. The rate of increase in diameter of cataljja trees varies according to soil, 

 water supply, and distance of planting. Trees planted at a distance of 4 by 8 ft. in 

 the interior of plantations increase about ^ in. per year in diameter after about 10 or 

 12 years. The thinning processes should be begun after the trees have been planted 

 8 or 10 years by the removal of half the trees. In general, the proper time for cut- 

 ting should be during the months of August and September. This will prevent the 

 return to the trunk of the soluble food in the leaves which would furnish nutriment 

 for bacteria and fungi. 



The cost and profit of catalpa growing, based upon results obtained in a number 

 of plantations, are given, from which it ajipears that a net profit of about $20 per 

 acre for the first 10 years can be obtained, leaving the products still standing in the 

 plantation worth about $400 per acre. The value of catalpa for railroad ties is dis- 

 cussed at considerable length and the results of a number of tests conducted by 

 railroads are given. Several commercial catalpa plantations are described which 

 have l;)een made since 1870. 



The catalpa plantations at the agricultural college, A. Dickens and G. O. 

 Greene [Kansas Sta. Bui. lOS, pp. 141-145, p?s. 8). — An account is given of the plant- 

 ings of catalpa at the Kansas Agricultural College which have been made since 1872. 

 Very encouraging results have been obtained, and on very poor soil the catalpa has 

 made a paying crop. On good soil the growth was proportionately better. In from 

 7 to 10 years growth of suitable size for posts was produced, and in 20 to 25 years 

 sufficient size for lumber or other purposes. The best distance for planting appears 

 to be 5 to 6 ft apart in rows 8 it. distant. Clean cultivation should be given the trees 

 lor several years and pruning should be resorted to to produce straight, desirable 

 growth. Ihe trees are easily raised, readily transplanted, grow rapidly, and endure 

 extremes ol drought, heat, and cold. 



The western red cedar, W. M. Bomberger {Proc. Iowa Park and Forestry Assoc, 

 1 {1901), pp. 17, 18). — The western red cedar {Juniperus scopulorum) is said to 

 require considerable heat and withstand drought to a remarkable extent. On this 

 account it is considered one of the most valuable of evergreen trees for growth on 

 the elevated plains country of Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Okla- 

 homa, and Colorado. Two common forms are briefly described; one, which is 

 indigenous along the Platte River in Nebraska, is considered best for general plant- 

 ing; the other form native in the Rocky Mountains is characterized by the glaucous 

 color of its foliage, and is better adapted for ornamental plantings. 



