88 FARM FORESTRY 



be planted in the nursery in drills about an inch deep and 

 allowed to grow for 2 years before being transplanted. It 

 has few insect enemies or diseases. 



Hardy Catalpa (Catalpa spcciosa). The natural range of 

 the hardy catalpa is a limited region in the Ohio and Mis- 

 sissippi valleys from Indiana to Arkansas. It has been widely 

 distributed by planting. It is subject to injury by severe 

 winters far outside of its natural range, which kills back the 

 last year's growth. Its growth depends on the character of 

 the soil. It will succeed only on moist, well drained, deep, fer- 

 tile soil. When planted under other conditions it will not 

 thrive. It is not adapted to stiff clay soils nor to dry condi- 

 tions. It has been widely planted by farmers throughout the 

 east for fence posts, but with success only on most favorable 

 soils. It is not a tree for general planting. It succeeds well 

 in the Middle West where the conditions are adapted to it, 

 and often makes extremely rapid growth. A height growth 

 of 2,^/2 feet a year and a diameter growth of y 2 an inch a year 

 are not uncommon for the first 15 or 20 years. It is a val- 

 uable fence post tree in many regions. It matures early and 

 makes a small to medium-sized tree. Owing to the fact that 

 it does not produce a terminal bud, it forms a very crooked 

 tree, and can be grown to fence-post size only by constant 

 pruning. The wood is soft, light, elastic, has fairly high fuel 

 value, and is very durable in contact with the ground. It 

 often lasts 30 to 40 years as fence posts. It reproduces freely 

 by seeds and by sprouts. The pods should be collected in the 

 late fall or winter and the seed hung in a dry, cool place. 

 Before planting the seed should be soaked 24 hours in water. 

 The seed has high germination per cent and is an easy tree 

 to grow in the nursery. The seedings should be planted 

 about 6 feet by 6 feet apart. After growing a few years the 

 trees are sometimes cut close to the ground and a single sprout 

 allowed to develop. This will often grow 8 to 10 feet the first 



