DIVISION OF FORESTRY. 203 



The secretary of the Kansas State Horticultural Society, Mr. G. C. 

 Brackett, also made an examination of the forest-tree plantation at 

 rarlin;:^ton, Kans., and made reijort as follows to Mr. Nettletou. under 

 date of September 10, 18S5 : 



CATALPA SriiCIOSA, WESTERN HARDY. 



(1) I fonnd tlio block of three years old iu a compact form and vrith very fevr fail- 

 nres iu tlie oiiginal planting. The growth of these has been remarkably vigorous 

 and shows every evidence of health and a well-shaped body to make a well-formed 

 tree for timber purposes. Many of these measured 3 to 3^ inches in diameter and 6 to 

 10 feet iu height, and a current year's center growth of nearly 7 feet in length and 

 very stocky. 



(2) The block of four years old was fully equal in every respect to the first, consid- 

 ering the age. 



(3) The blocks of six and seven years' growth will compare favorably with the first 

 and second, many of which measure from 5 to 8 inches in diameter and 15 to 22 feet 

 in height, with tinely-formed bodies. The uniform growth and apx>arent healthi'ul- 

 ness is remarkable, being planted, as they are, ou an exposed prairie, with no shelter 

 or protection other than what their own growth would aiford. In these we have the 

 gratifying evidence of the adaptability of this species to the climate and soil of prairie 

 regions as a forest tree. The present compact form of these blocks also shows an un- 

 usual success by the few failures in the original number used in the plantation. An- 

 other point of great interest, not only in these blocks, but iu the entire plantation, is 

 the uncommon evenness of growth of the dilierent ages, which certainly reflects great 

 credit to the intelligence of the management. The slight variations in so remarkably 

 few instances are evidently the result of varying soil, and to avoid which would have 

 been impracticable, either by care in planting or after management, except by special 

 measures, and would have been a questiouable matter as to the profitableness of such 

 an undertaking. 



ATLANTHUS GLANDULOSA. 



This tree is generally used on stony points, thin soils, and on the breaks of ravines 

 ■with good results. In such locations its most valuable character of wood is obtained, 

 as, when grown on rich or bottom lands, the wood becomes worthless, its durability 

 and close texture is largely lost. This fact seems to have been fully recognized by the 

 manager of the Farlington forests. 



The block of six years' growth of this tree already presents a fine forest appearance, 

 many trees measuring from 5 to 8 inches in diameter and fully 15 to 18 feet in height, 

 •with straight, smooth, and well-formed bodies. There are but very few failures in 

 the original planting among these. 



The younger blocks are equally promising, and demonstrate the usefulness of the 

 ailanthns for exceptional soils on which scarcely any other valuable sort could be 

 successfully grown. 



The whole area of this artificial forest shows a remarkable success, and, I venture 

 the assertion, has no equal in the United States, considering its magnitude, and I was 

 most agreeably suri^rised to find a work of such proi)nrtion as fully a success aa that 

 of any small plantation within my knowledge. It will stand any reasonable criticism 

 •without suffering in the least, and should give entire satisfaction to all concerned. 



While this undertaking evidently was considered from the point of a paying in- 

 vestment by the parties interested, it has resulted in great lienefit to the forestry in- 

 terest of Kansas. It has demonstrated practically the possibilities of our prairie lands 

 to produce forest trees of at least a very promising character to supply the future 

 timber ]n- )iluct required furrailway ties, coiistructiou work, and many otlier purposes 

 in wliicb a durable character of wood is needed, and lurthis alone our citizens should 

 feel under obligations to your company. I have endeavored to present to you a fair 

 and reliable statement, closely following the facts obtained by personal examination, 

 and judging this work from a practical knowledge of forest-tree growth in other por- 

 tions of our Stale and as found in otlier prairie States to the north and east of Kansas. 



FOREST FIRES OCCASIONED 13Y LOCOMOTIVES. 



In this connection the occurrence of forest fires occasioned by sparks 

 from locomotives and their possible prevention properly comes up for 

 consideration. From careful inquiry made in p»reparinjj the last cen- 

 sus it appears that about one-fourth of the forest fires in the census 



