I 



PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 225 



to the tree, the dead wood shrinks away from the living wood built around 

 it, admitting water and air, and with them the germs of decay which success- 

 fully attack the wood at such time. 



A chisel, broad and sharp, upon a long handle, removes branches close to 

 the trunk, smoothly; they soon callous and heal over, thus preventing the 

 decay mentioned. 



ANALYSIS OF CATALPA WOOD BY J. N. HURTY, M. D., PH. D., ANALYTICAL CHEMIST. 



Sample furnished by J. P. Brown. Indianapolis, April 2, 1900. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 13.97 



Ash 0.72 



Petroleum ether extract 0.35 



(This extract was of a light yellow color and very faint fat odor. It was free 

 from glucosides, alkaloids, free organic acids and chlorophyll.) 



Ether extract 0.36 



(The ether extract had a light brown color, resinous appearance and slight 

 aromatic odor. It contained no chlorophyll, alkaloids, glucosides or or- 

 ganic acids. It seemed a resin.) 



Alcohol extract 4.06 



(This extract had a dark brown color, woody odor. It contained a glucoside, 

 no alkaloids, no tannin. Contained resinous matter.) 



Water extract 3.67 



(This extract was of dark brown, almost black color, faint aromatic odor.) 



Lignin, cellulose, etc .76.87 



100.00 



Remarks. It is probable that the fat and the resinous matters are the preservative 

 in Catalpa wood. J. N. HURTY. 



MANAGEMENT OF CATALPA PLANTATIONS. 

 TWO ADVERSE THEORIES. 



Almost every artificial forest plantation in America has been made upon 

 the old theory that side branches of trees must be eliminated by close plant- 

 ing; that forest conditions must be maintained by the dense shade of many 

 trees. Such is the theory adopted by the United States Forestry Bureau in 

 all its bulletins. 



The majority of such plantings have been at 4x4 feet distant with but com- 

 paratively little thinning. 



We now have in consideration the Catalpa tree which, when once estab- 

 lished, is a remarkably strong, vigorous, growing tree. At 4x4 feet distance, 

 or 16 square feet surface for each tree, the roots will occupy all the ground 

 in two years after planting. 



In four years there will be a struggle for existence among the roots and 

 a corresponding decrease in vitality and power to produce an efficient top. 



Forest conditions are thus rriaintained at the expense of wood growth. 

 Every plantation so made has been a failure and always must be. 



The theory adopted by the author is directly opposed to this. 



A strong root system must be developed and ample room given the trees, 

 so that the vital part of the tree, and which is never seen, being beneath the 

 ground, shall have room to expand and gather strength for the support of the 

 tree. 



In the native forests of Catalpa the trees are tall, straight, with few 

 branches along the trunk. 



In proof of which we present scores of photographs of Catalpa speciosa 

 growing in every part of the country. 



