January 1904.] Tests of Forest Trees. 87 



The ash plantation continues to be first in condition and appear- 

 ance. As with other species, rate of growth has decreased as the trees 

 age. Many good poles have been cut for various purposes, and the 

 plat, which contains 150 square rods, now contains 136 trees, the 

 highest of which stands 43 feet. 



The best trees average in diameter 11 inches at one foot from the 

 ground, and 8 inches at five feet. 



In all soils and locations on the College campus the ash trees have 

 made very satisfactory growth, forming good trees. They seem less 

 inclined to branch and form forks near the ground than most other 

 species. 



It is to be recommended for general planting. The wood makes 

 fair fuel and the timber is strong and tough, though not heavy. One 

 of the best ash trees on the campus, grown in fair soil, when forty 

 years old measured as follows : 



Height 58 feet. 



Diameter at the base 17 inches. 



" at 5 feet 12f " 



" at 10 feet 12J " 



" at 15 feet 10J " 



" at 25 feet 9 " 



The tree grew in a clump of mixed species and was straight and 

 close-grained, making good timber. There was twenty cubic feet of 

 cord-wood in the limbs and top. 



Both Green and White ash are readily propagated from seeds gath- 

 ered and sown in the fall, covering about one and one-half inches. 

 Seed kept until spring is liable to become too dry unless packed in 

 sand. 



BLACK WALNUT. (Juglans nigra.) 



From the report of 1886. 



"Black walnuts, standing as planted, about 4x4 feet, have made a clean, 

 straight growth, averaging over 15 feet high, and, at four feet from the ground, 8 

 inches in circumference. The plantation never having been thinned, the close 

 stand of trees has resulted in the death and decay of all branches on the lower 

 part of the trunk, promising straight timber wnen of larger size. A second 

 plantation, apparently about three years younger, shows this process of self- 

 pruning in progress. These trees, standing 4x 1 feet apart, averaging 12 feet in 

 height and 1^ inches in diameter at four feet, carry no live branches below a 

 height of about 6 feet, though the trunks are set with dead ones nearly ready to 

 fall, through the decay of the branch at the base." 



The growth of the Black walnut since 1836 has been much slower 

 than the other species. The trees have been thinned, as they seemed 

 to require it. The smaller and less thrifty trees have invariably been 

 removed, so that but little wood and practically no posts have been 

 secured. 



