April 1902.] The Hardy Catalpa. 131 



PENNSYLVANIA LINES WEST OF PITTSBURG INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION, 



COLUMBUS, OHIO, February 19, 1902. 



Your letter of February 5 to Mr. Ohliger, superintendent, Richmond, Ind., 

 regarding the catalpa trees between Indianapolis and Richmond, Ind., has been 

 referred to me as engineer of the division, and I beg to report as follows : About 

 eighteen years ago several thousand catalpa trees were set out on the right of 

 way on both sides of the track between Indianapolis and Columbus. It was in- 

 tended to beautify the company's property, and, after the trees had grown large 

 enough, to utilize them for cross-ties and fence-posts. After some eight or ten 

 years it was found that the rapid growth of the trees caused the limbs to inter- 

 fere with the telegraph lines, and a yearly trimming was necessary, and as it is 

 considered that this expense is not justified by the benefit derived from the trees, 

 those under the telegraph lines are being gradually removed. Where the trees 

 are no detriment from either of the above causes they have been allowed to re- 

 main as a matter of appearance. It is not found that the size or shape of trees 

 of this kind make them available for ties. Possibly five per cent, of the trees 

 thus far cut are of the proper dimensions for ties, and about forty per cent, for 

 one fence-post from each tree. The remaining fifty-five per cent, of the trees are 

 worthless after cutting. The ties and fence-posts secured from the trees have 

 not been in use long enough to enable us to state from our experience as to the 

 wearing qualities of the timber. On a whole, the experiment was not considered 

 a success. Yours, D. B. JOHNSON, Engineer Maintenance of Way. 



CATALPA FOR POST AND POLE TIMBER. 



The same qualities which render the catalpa valuable for railroad- 

 ties apply to its use for posts and for telephone and telegraph poles. 

 There is no reason why every farmer should not be able -to devote 

 sufficient land for the growing of catalpa to insure a constant supply 

 of post timber for home purposes. It has been demonstrated that in 

 reasonably good soil, with a fair water-supply, and not planted closer 

 than 5x8 feet, a catalpa forest will produce posts in from eight to 

 twelve years. It has been further demonstrated that trees a few 

 years old, when cut back to the ground, will produce timber of post 

 size within about four years. The further advantage of catalpa wood 

 for post timber, in addition to its specific resistance to decay, lies in 

 the fact that the wood does not check or split, allowing staples used 

 in wire fencing to fall out and the wires to drop to the ground. The 

 lightness of catalpa timber, as compared with that of the Osage 

 orange and other species frequently used in the West for posts, 

 makes it easier to handle and increases the number of posts which a 

 team can haul in each load. Where large stock ranges are to be 

 fenced this will be an important item for consideration. 



As to the durability of catalpa posts, sufficient information has al- 

 ready been given in the discussion of railroad-ties. A further illus- 

 tration is afforded by plates 37 and 38, from photographs furnished 

 by the United States bureau of forestry. 



For telegraph and telephone ples the advantage of wood so resist- 



