1878.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



343 



the pasturage thereon was an item not to be 

 omitted, although in this case it was not estimated. 

 These figures show that the Locust tree is one 

 of our most profitable forest trees, and its adap- 

 tion to uneven ground, or side hills which cannot 

 be profitably cultivated, adds to its value. The 

 more extended use of this valuable wood ought 

 to claim the attention of our people, and widen 

 the area of its cultivation. 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



A Large Catalpa. — Mr. Horace J. Smith 

 writes : "I measured a Catalpa tree in Fair- 

 mount Pax'k, on the river drive, west side, this 

 morning, and found it to be thirteen feet in cir- 

 ■cumference, at an average of one foot from the 

 ■ground (it is on a hillside), showing a trunk four 

 feet diameter. Would a section or slab be of in- 

 terest ?" 



[What will those Western friends think who 

 believe Southern Indiana produces the only 

 "hardy" Catalpa? Though Mr. Smith does 

 not say so, we can assure them that this Penn- 

 sylvania tree is not growing in the mammoth 

 •conservatory in Fairmount Park, but is actually 

 in the open air, and has probably been there 

 through a hundred Winters. How many annual 

 rings has it, Mr. Smith ? But we hope there will 

 be no attempt to take a slab from it. Better let 

 the old Catalpa stand.] 



Locust Timber. — We call particular atten- 

 tion to an article on Locust timber in this month's 

 issue, as showing how much more profit there 

 may be in timber raising than is generally sup- 

 posed. It does not require a very long life to 

 "bring a plantation to profit. It is well to re- 

 member that profitable timber culture does not 

 mean coyping what Mr. Smock has done, but in 

 finding out just what is suited to one's soil and 

 locality, and what is likely to be in profitable 

 demand. In many parts of our country the Lo- 

 cust is so seriously affected by the Locust borer, 

 that its growth is comparatively slow, and the 



quality of the timber injured. In other parts of 

 the country the Locust leaf miner is a serious 

 objection. Then the timber is unfit for railroad 

 ties, or for any purpose where nailing to it is re- 

 quired, and all these, seriously limit its market. 

 For mere posts, firewood, or street pavements, it 

 is among the best of all woods. 



Native Sumac— The Reading Times and 

 Dispatch says : " There is a stead}^ market at 

 present for the leaves of the wild Sumac which 

 grows upon the hills and commons of Berks 

 county, the demand being greater than the sup- 

 ply. The leaves are much used in the tanning 

 of Morocco leather, for the manufacture of dyes 

 and other purposes. In some localities the 

 gathering of Sumac leaves at this season of the 

 year is quite an industry. The branches of the 

 Sumac bushes are broken off, loaded upon hay 

 wagons and, after being cured, conveyed to the 

 nearest railroad station. There is considerable 

 Sumac in Montgomery county, and there is also 

 a good deal in this county along the Wissahickon, 

 Schuylkill, etc., and this may be a hint worth 



taking," 



<•-•< 



SCRAPS AND OUERIES. 



Catalpa Coffins. — A correspondent sug- 

 gests that on account of its durability, this tim- 

 ber deserves the attention of cabinet makers 

 and undertakers. 



Alnus Oregona and Acer macrophyl- 

 LUM. — A correspondent writing from Washing- 

 ton Territory, says the Alnus Oregona is an ex- 

 cellent timber tree there. It grows rapidly, 

 makes splendid fuel, and is valuable for charcoal. 

 It is also extensively used by cabinet makers, 

 being almost the only wood used for bent work 

 in their business. Without giving its particular 

 uses he also speaks highly of the Acer macro- 

 phyllum as a useful forest tree. We have heard 

 before of its extreme beauty in the forests of 

 that Territory, and the trees growing up in the 

 Eastern States show its ornamental character. 



Natural History and Science. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



LICHTNiNC AND BEECH TREES. 



BY REV. L. J. TEMPLIN, HUTCHINSON, KANSAS 



I see a discussion in the Gardener's Monthly but from my own observation, I know the rule 



of this question, as to whether the Beech tree is 

 ever struck by lightning. With the general 

 opinion against such an occurrence I think there 

 is no question. The event is exceedingly rare: 



