374 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



in the fall or spring. In either case plow the ground deep 

 and harrow it down well. Lay the ground off in furrows six 

 feet apart each way and set the trees where the furrows 

 cross. 



Procuring 1 the trees. Send to a reliable nursery for 

 catalpa speciosa. Insist on the speciosa. About 1,000 trees 

 may be planted on an acre. These will cost about $5 a 

 thousand for seedlings. The Ohio Valley Nursery Company, 

 Lake, Indiana ; the Little Tree Farms, Farmington, Mass. ; 

 Storrs, Harrison & Company, Painesville, Ohio, are reliable 

 dealers in catalpa. 



When the little trees arrive, plant them carefully on the 

 ground prepared. Thrust the spade into the ground at the 

 intersection of the furrows, pry the soil back, and insert the 

 roots of the little tree in place. Firm the earth well about 

 the roots. 



Cultivation. During the first three or four seasons after 

 planting, the little trees should be cultivated during May, 

 June, and part of July to keep the weeds down and to hasten 

 the growth. When the cultivation ceases in July it is well 

 to sow a crop of cow-peas or soy beans among the trees to 

 provide a winter mulch and a green manure to be plowed 

 under in cultivation the next season. 



During the growing season all side shoots and forking 

 branches appearing on the young trees should be broken off. 

 This will hasten the growth of the central stem and make 

 clean, straight boles in the trees. 



Notebook record. The student should record all opera- 

 tions in his agricultural notebook. 



