234 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 
amount of space to the remainder, but capital invested in forests demands 
quicker returns, and a more rational method must be employed in planting 
if we expect financiers to invest money in growing trees. 
In Kansas alone one million dollars has been lost through this erroneous 
over-crowding of trees. There is not a forest in existence which has become 
a success where planted 4x4 or even 6x6 feet, unless severely thinned within 8 
or 10 years. 
The Farlington, Kan., plantation of 1,200 acres, planted in 1879, should 
at this time be producing cross-ties by the hundred thousands, yet its failure 
is most complete. No ties could be produced in half a century without radi- 
cal change in management. In 1885, when six years old, Mr. Douglas reported 
that these trees were 18 to 21 feet high, 12 to 18 inches circumference. They 
have not grown as much in the 15 years subsequently; very many are no 
larger than in 1885. Neither water nor food can be secured to sustain a 
growth. 
On the contrary, thousands of catalpa trees in Topeka and throughout the 
United States have attained to great height; and a diameter of one inch for each 
year of growth, when given ample room. 
Seven feet each way is proper distance, and after three years’ growth, with 
strong roots secured, cut off the tree at the ground. A 12-foot straight 
growth will result the first season, and good trunk will be assured. After seven or 
eight years intermediate trees must be removed for posts, etc., leaving permanent 
trees not less than 14 feet apart. 
The cuts represent a four-year catalpa which I had dug, measuring every 
root and branch. Soil, heavy clay. One root 12-inch girth extending 15 feet, 
others 8 to 12 feet, Total length of roots, 1 to 4 inches diameter, was 11414 
feet. 
When our four-year tree requires 100 square feet of space, filling it with 
rootlets, what root growth and consequent wood growth can be expected with 
trees having only 16 feet space? 
Good cultivation and the occasional use of the pruning knife are necessary 
if financial returns are expected from forest planting. 
CROSS-TIE RENEWALS. 
The cost of railway cross-ties does not end with their purchase nor yet 
with their transportation. Each year there must be dug out, removed and 
destroyed by burning, one-sixth of all the ties in every railway; these must be 
replaced with new ties. This is an enormous expenditure of labor and money 
which would be greatly reduced by the use of catalpa ties—only one-thirtieth 
of the ties would require renewal each year; one-sixth of the present expense. 
TELEGRAPH POLES. 
Railway companies and telegraph lines, as well as telephone companies, 
will be interested within a few years in any relief from the enormous expense 
of procuring new poles. 
No tree offers the same inducements to planters for such poles as the 
