PRACTICAL 



ARBORICULTURE 255 



and with the choicest trees obtainable, success will not be assured if a starva- 

 tion diet is forced upon the trees. That is, if more trees are crowded upon a 

 given area than can obtain moisture and nourishment. 



(4) Experience has proven that the roots of each Catalan sfeciosa tree 

 three years of age demands 16 square feet surface space. 



At eight years, 64 square feet. At ten years, 100 square feet, and at 

 sixteen years, 200 square feet. With less space the trees will be dwarfed and 

 stunted for want of food and water. 



It will require many years for the more vigorous to overcome and destroy 

 the weaker and secure sufficient space for successful vigorous growth. 



Failure to appreciate this fact, and overcrowding the trees has caused 

 the loss of millions of dollars to forest planters. 



Two thousand scren hundred trees per acre! What folly! Four feet square 

 on which to grow such trees as attain a diameter of seven feet, and height of one 

 hundred and fifty feet. 



(5) Dense planting will not eliminate side branches. They must be 

 removed by pruning. Systematically performed, before the branches have 

 attained large size, this is an inexpensive operation. 



(6) Having once established a strong vigorous root system, the Catalpa 

 will rapidly push up a straight stem with a few side branches. 



(7) The intermixture of Oriental Catalpa and bignonoides, with C. 

 speciosa, produces numerous hybrids, all of which are inferior to the great 

 forest tree of the \Vabash, in proportion to the influence of the parent stock. 



(8) There are diseases peculiar to all trees ; none are exempt ; Catalpa 

 has less than most other species of timber and is easily controlled. To prevent 

 disease remove lower branches close to the trunk before they have attained 

 large size. 



(9) There are less insect enemies which attack Catalpa than any known 

 tree. 



do) In exposed prairie regions a great advantage may be secured to the 

 young trees by planting belts of trees more closely to break the force of wind. 



(11) The cost of a plantation is quadrupled where the 4x4 system pre- 

 vails, or 2,722 trees per acre, over the more reasonable plan of 7x7 feet, or 

 888 per acre. Upon this increased cost, interest must be considered and a 

 vastly greater capital employed, while there are no compensating advantages, 

 and the final income is greatly reduced from unthrifty trees. 



(12) No greater mistake can be made than to plant a forest of mixed 

 varieties of trees for economic purposes. Whatever object is to be subserved, 

 whether fuel, fence posts, mine timbers, cross-ties or lumber, plant for that 

 special purpose, and that only, confining the forest to one species of tree, 

 which promises best results. 



