plants grow slowly during May and June, and they require exten- 

 sive cultivation during these months. As the heat of summer 

 comes on, their rate of growth increases, and they reach a height 

 of from fifteen to thirty inches by the end of the growing season. 



PLANTING-STOCK. 



One-year-old seedlings are the most satisfactory for extensive 

 plantings. At this age the seedlings are strong enough to estab- 

 lish themselves readily in their new location, and to make a good 

 growth the first season. They can also be planted at a much less 

 expense at this age than they can be at the age of two years. The 

 catalpa is very readily transplanted, and with proper care a full 

 stand is easily secured. 



In buying or grading seedlings, it is a safe policy to accept only 

 the best. By the best are meant the largest and strongest plants 

 of whatever age is under consideration. In nursery practice the 

 one-year-old seedlings are sorted into three grades according to 

 their size. Grade No. 1 includes the plants ranging in height from 

 eighteen to thirty inches and upwards. Grade No. 2 includes the 

 plants that are from twelve to eighteen inches in height. Grade 

 No. 8 includes all plants under twelve inches in height. The dif- 

 ference in price between the different grades is from one dollar to 

 three dollars per thousand. The No. 1 grade of trees is by far 

 the most desirable and the most satisfactory. Grade No. 2 is 

 quite satisfactory and altogether acceptable for extensive plant- 

 ings. Grade No. 3 is the culls of the entire lot and should never 

 be accepted in a purchase. In grading home-grown stock they 

 should be rejected, also. 



Many of the failures in attempts to grow catalpa trees are due 

 to the planting of cull seedlings. A large per cent of the small- 

 sized seedlings die the first year they are out. The small-sized 

 trees also require more cultivation and care than do the larger 

 plants. 



PLANTING-SITE. 



The hardy catalpa is exacting in its demands upon the soil. It 

 grows naturally in deep, rich soil along creeks and rivers. Conse- 

 quently, it reaches its best development in rich, well-drained 

 bottom soils. 



It is an entirely safe proposition to plant catalpa trees in any 

 soil that will produce a good corn crop. Catalpa will not make a 

 satisfactory growth in gumbo, poorly drained, or high, dry soils. 

 In selecting a site, all such soils should be carefully avoided. 



The catalpa is well adapted for planting on creek and river- valley 



