9 



extensively grown for this purpose. Because of the large proportion 

 of heartwood the young wood is almost as durable in the soil as the 

 old. Locust posts under average conditions will last from twenty to 

 twenty-five years. 



Black locust grows best on a deep, well-drained, fertile loam, but 

 will grow on any soil except a wet, heavy one. It attains excellent 

 development on limestone formations. It demands light during its 

 entire life, and must be planted on situations where it will not be 

 shaded by weeds or brush while young. 



Plantations of locust are best established by the use of 1-year-old 

 seedlings, from 12 to 18 inches high. Since the locust has a wide- 

 spreading root system, it requires plenty of room for proper devel- 

 opment. A spacing of 4 feet apart each way is too close, unless 

 very early thinnings can be made and the material used for stakes. 

 It is best to place the trees every 4 feet in rows 6 feet apart, or 3 feet 

 in rows 8 feet apart, since these distances make cultivation easy. 

 Locust thrives in pure stands, but it is often advisable to associate it 

 with trees of value for protective purposes. Suitable species are 

 Russian mulberry, Osage orange, and green ash. 



To secure a stem that will make straight posts, poorly formed or 

 double-headed trees may be cut back to the ground two years after 

 planting and but a single stump shoot allowed to grow. A limited 

 amount of pruning two or three years after planting is often 

 advisable. Cultivation for two or three years after planting is 

 essential. 



HONEY LOCUST (Oleditsia triacanthos) . 



Honey locust is a rapid-growing tree, which can be planted 

 throughout the plains region. The wood of honey locust is coarse- 

 grained, heavy, hard, strong, and durable in contact with the soil. 

 It is used chiefly for fuel, fence posts, and poles. It is as a living 

 tree, however, that the honey locust serves its most useful purpose, 

 since within its range other species can be grown which are more 

 valuable for their wood, but much less desirable for permanent trees. 

 It is useful for hedge windbreaks, for shelterbelts, and for street and 

 general planting in a naturally treeless region. 



Honey locust reaches its greatest size on the deep, rich soils of 

 river bottoms. On gravelly or heavy clay soil it does not grow so 

 well. Soil containing lime is especially favorable. The common 

 soil of the plains, however, is well adapted to it, and it will thrive 

 in western Kansas and Nebraska even where there is little precipita- 

 tion. It is equaled in drought-resisting powers only by the Russian 

 mulberry and Osage orange, and it will endure severe winters, to 

 which these species would ordinarily succumb. It is very light- 



[Cir. 99] 



