130 Botanical Department. [Bulletin 108 



ical treatment, and that there seems to be a distinct economy in 

 using it for tie timber in connection with tie-plates. The committee 

 on ties say in their report (page 12 ) : 



"Tie-plates have now become a well-established article of manufacture. 

 Those principally in use consist of flat-rolled steel, with ribs and surfaces of 

 various forms. Their utility for saving soft ties is so well established that it 

 seems superfluous to report in favor of their use." 



The suggestion has been made that railways might utilize the va- 

 cant space along their rights of way by planting catalpa trees, to be 

 subsequently used for posts and ties in the adjacent track. While 

 this may be possible, to a limited extent, where the right of way is on 

 a level, uniform grade, free from rocks and ditches, and where culti- 

 vation for the first three years may therefore be possible, it seems 

 unlikely that one or two rows of trees, thus grown, would be able to 

 create sufficient shade to keep out weeds and undergrowth, which 

 latter would naturally act as a check to the development of the trees 

 themselves. In other words, a "forest floor" could not be formed, 

 and it is doubtful whether such a system of planting would yield 

 satisfactory results from a practical standpoint. The Pennsylvania 

 railroad (I. & V. div.)> tried the experiment of growing catalpa trees 

 along the right of way for shade rather than for timber purposes. 

 The result is indicated in the two following letters, from prominent 

 officials of the line. 



PENNSYLVANIA LINES WEST OF PITTSBURQ I. & V. DIVISION, 

 OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT, INDIANAPOLIS, IND., February 8, 1902. 

 In reply to your favor of February 4, relative to catalpa trees along the right 

 of way of the P. C. C. & St. L. Railway Company (Pennsylvania line), in the 

 year 1883 we planted about 86,000 trees on the Indianapolis division, between 

 Indianapolis and Richmond, and on the Richmond division, between Richmond 

 and Logansport; they are, therefore, about eighteen years old, and some of the 

 trees have attained a diameter of about twelve inches or more, depending on the 

 soil in which they were planted. When set out, they were small shoots about 

 two feet high. The original object in setting out these trees was more especially 

 for ornamental and shade purposes. In order to prevent them from interfering 

 with telegraph lines, the trees have been topped or cut close to the trunk several 

 times; this has more or less retarded their growth. It is the intention to utilize 

 the trunks which are large enough for fence-posts and ties some time in the near 

 future. A number of trees have been damaged, due to fires which were started 

 on right of way by passing engines. The general growth of trees, however, has 

 not been up to the expectation of the parties who advocated the planting of this 

 particular species of tree. In setting out these trees no special pains were taken 

 the section men digging a hole of sufficient breadth and depth to properly 

 accommodate the roots, and the same soil was again thrown back around 1 the 

 roots. No fertilizer of any kind was used. I trust this information will be of 

 service to you. Yours truly, M. W. MANSFIELD, Superintendent. 



