lands that are subject to inundation. Occasional floodings do not 

 injure the trees unless their tops are submerged. The only time 

 that this condition might occur would be during the first or 

 second year after the trees are planted. The injury would not 

 then be serious unless the trees remained under water for several 

 days at a time. 



A general impression regarding the catalpa is that it requires 

 a sandy soil to attain its best development. This is entirely erro- 

 neous. The catalpa makes a good growth on sandy loam or on a 

 sandy soil with a loam or clay subsoil, but sandy soils with coarse 

 sand or gravel subsoil is not at all suitable for growing catalpas. 

 In a few instances throughout the State, catalpas have been seen 

 growing successfully on soils entirely too sandy to be used for the 

 growing of agricultural crops. On such land the catalpas attain 

 a height of from eighteen to twenty-four feet, but they seldom af- 

 ford two lengths of posts. The returns from catalpas on such 

 soils is probably as satisfactory as the returns from any other cul- 

 tivated crop. However, they are not a profitable, or money-mak- 

 ing, crop on such land. 



PREPARATION OF PLANTING-SITE. 



The first step in setting out a plantation is the preparation of 

 the ground for planting. The catalpa is not a tree that can suc- 

 ceed under adverse conditions, and therefore should be planted 

 only on land that has been under cultivation long enough to have 

 completely killed all grass-sod or bush-growth. To insure a full 

 stand of living trees and a good growth the first year, the ground 

 in which the trees are planted must be in the best possible physi- 

 cal condition. When planted in good mellow soil and given good 

 cultivation, the trees will make a growth of from three to six feet 

 the first summer. 



TIME OF PLANTING. 



The proper time to set out catalpa trees is at any favorable time 

 between April 1 and May 15. The exact time will vary somewhat 

 with the season. They may be set out as soon as the ground is in 

 good working condition in the spring. It is a serious mistake to 

 delay planting until the buds begin to develop. Growth is in ac- 

 tive operation in the development of the leaves and the trees should 

 be planted before growth begins. 



Fall planting may be satisfactory in the eastern part of the 

 State, but farther west there is always a risk of losing the trees 

 by winterkilling. Fall planting requires one year more of pro- 

 tection from rabbits. 



