42 



at Johnson, Kans., on the high upland, only 18 miles from the Colo- 

 rado line. They are a remnant of better days, but are looking fairly 

 well despite the dense sod and the constant tramping and rubbing of 

 cattle. The borers have not found them, so in their nine years of 

 life they have not been handicapped in the struggle against adversity 

 and neglect. The borers, however, can not be avoided in many 

 places, and they have brought ruin to thousands of promising trees. 



The planter who wishes to put out black locust in regions infested 

 by borers should have a definite object in view and be prepared to 

 carry it out. By locating his plantation on good ground and giving 

 it first-class care, the trees will reach fence-post size before the borers 

 do much damage. They should then be cut and utilized. The rapid 

 sprout growth will soon make a new crop. A stump sprout sometimes 

 attains a height of 10 feet the first season. Handled in this manner, 

 black locust can be profitably raised in many places where it is alto- 

 gether unsuited for a permanent tree. 



At present borers are a menace to black locust trees throughout 

 western Kansas and Nebraska, though there are occasional local areas 

 that are not affected. They have so far done little damage in south- 

 Avestern Kansas, but they are moving both southward and westward. 

 They are abundant at Pratt, Kinsley, Dodge City, and Scott, and are 

 appearing at Medicine Lodge, Coldwater, Meade, and Garden City. 

 Yet of the numberless trees that have been killed or seriously injured 

 nearly all reached a size that could well be used for posts or stakes 

 before succumbing. This shows that black locust may be successfully 

 grown in commercial plantations if cut as soon as large enough for 

 posts. 



A typical case of southern Kansas growth is at Ashland, \vith the 

 same soil conditions as those noted in the section describing the Rus- 

 sian mulberry at that place. Part of the park planting is black locust 

 set about 16 by 16 feet, and cultivated, but not watered. The plant- 

 ing was done ten years before the measurements were made. Forty 

 trees averaged 7.6 inches in diameter, giving an inch of increase for 

 every one and one-third years. These 40 trees, if cut, would make 77 

 stakes and 106 posts, worth locally 10 and 15 cents each. This gives 

 an average value of 57 cents per tree, exclusive of firewood, and is not 

 a bad result for ten years of care. For commercial returns, of course, 

 the planting should be much thicker, thus utilizing all the ground and 

 causing a better form development. 



Just south of the Kansas line, in Woods County, Okla., black locust 

 grows remarkably well, and has not yet been molested by borers. 

 The sandy loam soil, with w T ater in many places not more than 20 

 feet below the surface, furnishes right conditions for rapid, healthy 



[Cir. 161.] 



