PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 209 



CATALPA SPECIOSA FOR THE GULF STATES. 



When it is considered that but a century ago there did not exist a single tree 

 of Catalpa spcciosa, except within the circumscribed area centering about the 

 mouth of the Wabash river, and limited to the low overflowed lands of that re- 

 gion, confined to a small portion of a few counties in Indiana, Illinois and south- 

 east Missouri, it is marvelous that the tree has become so perfectly at home in 

 almost every portion of the United States and Mexico and even in portions of 

 Canada. 



It is wonderful to what a range of localities it has adapted itself, what a va- 

 riety of soils it accepts and what changes of temperature the tree can survive, 

 whether the trees are surrounded by water as in the slashes of the Wabash or in 

 the arid deserts of Utah and the western plains. 



But the greatest measure of success is found in the far southern Gulf States, 

 where the period of growth is almost continuous. 



In the alluvial soils of the Mississippi valley, where abundant moisture 

 and protracted summer heat combine to stimulate the rapid formation of cell 

 growth, the Catalpa has increased two inches diameter growth per annum, at 

 New Orleans and other Southern points. 



It has been objected that possibly this rapid growth may not make as sub- 

 stantial timber as trees which grow more slowly. This argument does not hold, 

 for the rapidity of increase is merely the greater number of cells added in a given 

 period, each cell being the same as other cells. My attention was called to some 

 boards in a lot of Catalpa lumber that were much harder and stronger than oth- 

 ers ; examination showed that the softer and weaker boards were those which 

 had grown very slowly, the more rapid growing trees, showing in the lumber 

 as having a great annual increase, proved to be the hardest and strongest wood. 



Equalizers made from thrifty young saplings have outlasted two sets of oak 

 in same service. This is upon the same principle that second growth hickory is 

 strong, elastic and possesses life, while old. slow growth wood is of far less value. 

 It is evident, therefore, that the more rapidly Catalpa can be brought to maturity 

 or merchantable use. the better the quality of the wood will be. This effectually 

 disposes of the theory advocated by the United States Forestry Bureau, of ex- 

 tremely close planting, as it is by suppression of growth, through overcrowding, 

 that the weak, soft wood is formed. 



TREE GROWTH IN SANDY SOILS. 



A very large portion of the United States has a surface soil of almost pure 

 sand. The Great Plains region, vast in extent, covering much of the country west 



