34 BULLETIN 153, XI. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the tree's requirements it can not yet be recommended for such 

 sites. It is also growing on sandy upland soil in Rhode Island, but 

 has not attained a large size there. Much catalpa has been planted 

 under circumstances which practically insure financial loss. Agents 

 have exaggerated the good qualities of the species, and have sold a 

 large amount of stock at $20 to $25 per thousand, advising that it 

 be planted on almost any soil, good or poor, which happened to be 

 available. Prospective planters should consult their State forestry 

 officials or the United States Forest Service. 



BLACK LOCUST (Robinia pseudacacia Linn.). 



Were it not for the locust borer, black locust could be recom- 

 mended as one of the best trees for forest planting throughout most 

 of the eastern region. It grows well on poor, sandy, gravelly, or clay 

 soils, sprouts vigorously, and is hardy as far north as southern Mich- 

 igan, but farther north is killed back in winter. One exceptionally 

 good plantation in Indiana has reached a diameter of 7 inches and a 

 height of 45 feet in 13 years. The wood is very durable in contact with 

 the ground, and makes valuable fence posts. But on account of the 

 likelihood of destructive attacks by the locust borer the planting of 

 black locust for commercial purposes can not be recommended. 

 Some plantations, it is true, have not been attacked by the insect; 

 some localities are at present free from it; but plantations from Kan- 

 sas to New England have been seriously injured, and to set out black 

 locust to-day for commercial purposes would be a very doubtful 

 venture. 



OTHER SPECIES. 



Certain other species promise well for the eastern region, although 

 they have not all been tested to the age of maturity. Young planta- 

 tions of western yellow pine are growing well on poor, rocky clay 

 agricultural lands in Ohio and southern Michigan, and on dry, deep, 

 sandy lands in New York, and there seems to be no reason why the 

 species should not do fully as well in New England on similar soils. 

 It is quite hardy and resistant to drought. 



Chestnut would be an excellent tree to plant, particularly in south- 

 ern New England, Pennsylvania, and parts of New York and Ohio, 

 were it not for the very virulent fungus, Endothia parasitica (Murrill) 

 Anderson, which has killed a great many trees and threatens to 

 destroy most of the remaining stands. No practical method of com- 

 bating this disease has been devised, so it is not advisable at present 

 to start plantations of chestnut. 



Yellow poplar should do well in the eastern region on moist hill- 

 sides with good, well-drained soils, or along the banks of streams. 

 It produces valuable timber, commands a high stumpage price, and 

 makes fairly rapid growth. 



