31 



the Osage orange, but both of them freeze back in winters which the 

 locust endures uninjured. It can withstand even the climate of 

 eastern Wyoming, having succeeded at Cheyenne. The red cedar is 

 unsurpassed in ability to survive general adverse conditions, but the 

 locust is more easily handled and, with care, grows twice as fast. It 

 must have good soil, however ; it has failed conspicuously with plenty 

 of rainfall on ground where pine and cedar do well. Unlike the black 

 locust, which is often ruined by borers, the honey locust is usually 

 free from insect enemies and so far has been a uniformly healthy tree. 

 The value of the wood is not great, though it is sometimes used for 

 fence posts, and has proven fairly satisfactory. Honey locust has a 

 strong claim for preference over cottonwood and boxelder. It does 

 well for hedges, shelterbelts, and ornament in a country where any 

 tree growth is welcomed, and, moreover, makes a handsome, shapely 

 tree, with a fine trunk, a spreading crown, and a foliage that is both 

 delicate and attractive. The clusters of large thorns are occasionally 

 objectionable, but as a general rule they are not excessive and may 

 be easily removed by pruning, if desired. Many trees are partially 

 or wholly free from thorns, and the nurseryman who will propagate 

 a stable thornless variety will find a good market awaiting him. 

 Some nurserymen are already taking this up. 



The natural habit of growth in the open is low, with heavy, spread- 

 ing branches, so that a single closely set row forms a good windbreak 

 if left unpruned. There is no trouble about sprouts from the roots 

 unless they are cut in cultivation. After it is established, honey locust 

 holds its own against grass and grows much faster than the Osage 

 orange. It will also stand cutting down to a hedge, for which it is 

 well adapted. 



Honey locust makes an excellent street tree, and is increasing in 

 favor for this purpose. It has been much planted in many towns, 

 but perhaps its best development is at Osborne, where it determines 

 the whole aspect of the streets. Many are growing finely in Wakeeney, 

 Spearville, and other places. 



On the high upland 25 miles southwest of Dodge City, in a region 

 about as dry as any in the State, honey locust has done well during 

 the variable seasons of the last fifteen years, and increased nearly 

 one-third of an inch in diameter annually. At the State forestry 

 station afe Dodge City, also on the upland, it is proving itself superior 

 to all its associates, and has made an inch in diameter every three 

 years for sixteen years, despite the fact that no recent cultivation has 

 been given and though grass is coming in thickly, owing to wide 

 planting. Among several species planted at the Kainbelt Experiment 

 Station at Cheyenne Wells, Colo., the honey locust, though small at 

 present, gives promise of the best ultimate results. 



[Cir. 161.] 



