243 



neath, they were then sold for $500 as they stood, and now three trees are growing in the 

 place of one, and as thrifty as the first crop. 



It is thus seen that this tree grows in the most of our middle and western States, 

 and will grow in many sections where it is not now known, and some, where it has once 

 been condemned, the second trial will prove its value ; the borers travelling some 

 seasons and not others. It is worth the thorough trial anywhere, being the most val- 

 uable of our timber for durability, growing on poor soil where other trees will not grow, 

 nourishing an abundant growth of grass, and finally, when cut, will send up twice or 

 thrice the number of young trees. What tree can be, or is, of more value for forestry 

 culture ] 



PROFIT OF DURABLE TIMBER. 

 By A. Furnas, Danville, Indiana. 



Interesting as the growth of timber may be to all of us in its various relations, and 

 while wide and extended its results may be, involving the beautiful in nature, the useful in 

 art, controlling the elements as well as imparting sanitary influences ; yet there is extant a 

 feeling akin to belief that there is nothing real in it, that it is a sort of rocking chair 

 speculation, very nice on paper, and represented in diagrams where all trees stand like so 

 many posts or sentinels just where they were placed, and represent precisely just so much 

 controlling influence, aesthetic, sanitary, or financial. 



All new enterprises that contemplate an innovation on long-established usage, be 

 they ever so wholesome, unselfish, charitable, or benevolent in their design, meet with 

 sceptism if not outspoken opposition; and what is most remarkable, this spirit of unbelief 

 emanates most frequently from those whom such proposition is designed to benefit or 

 ■elevate. 



However, my little paper is to deal with facts and figures, which, together, mean 

 stubborn truth, and if I fail to show the practical value of durable timber, you will be 

 left the alternative of deciding whether the fault is with me or my subject. 



I shall confine my investigation entirely to the catalpa and locust, and assume with- 

 out argument their great durability as well as the unlimited demand for such timber. 



Much of the cost of timber grown by cultivation depends on the price of land on 

 which it is produced. Assuming the average price of land away from the neighbourhood 

 of cities and villages to be fifty dollars per acre, which would be a high estimate for us 

 in Indiana, and the cost of catalpa plants set four feet apart each way, making 2,722 per 

 acre, at a cost of $5 per 1,000 — (I grow my plants and they did not actually cost half 

 that figure) — we have thirteen dollars and sixty-one cents for plants. But the ground 

 must be prepared for the plants, and the transplanting is rather tedious work, hence we 

 will allow $11.39 for preparation of land and transplanting, making investment in plants 

 and labour, $25 per acre. Total investment, $75 per acre. In Indiana lawful interest is 

 6 per cent. Now let us compound this amount for ten years, and we have principal and 

 interest in round numbers, $134.30. To this we will add $5 annually for four years for 

 cultivation. With us the renter never pays taxes, but we will add that which would be 

 about $5. To this add $5 annually for keeping up fences and contingencies, and we are 

 debtor : 



To cost of land and plants compounded for ten years $134.30 



" cultivation four years , 20.00 



" fence and contingencies, tax, etc 50.00 



Total $204.30 



At the expiration of ten years we propose to remove one-fourth of the trees, which, 

 if all are standing, will be 680, for which we may claim credit. Many of these by this 

 time will make from one to two good fence posts, and at the lowest wholesale price in 

 carloads would be worth 20 cents each. At an average of 20 cents per tree, we have $136, 

 to say nothing of the tops for fence stakes aud fuel, all of which will be consumed on tht? 



