246 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 
such. Too much “saleratus” is not favorable to the health of the animal 
stomach, nor yet for the sap of a tree. 
Splitting hairs in soil examinations, pretending to determine what special 
earths will produce a certain tree, savors of the witchcraft of the well digger, 
whose forked stick invariably turns toward the water vein far beneath the 
surface. 
If in doubt about the adaptability of any soil for tree production, try a 
moderate number, care for them properly, and observe the results of a sea- 
son’s growth. 
THE CATALPA FOR LUMBER. 
A few individuals, some holding responsible government offices, predict 
that our lumber supply will last forever. There is a concealed object in these 
efforts to misrepresent the true situation and retard wholesome legislation fav- 
orable to forest perpetuation. But every lumber consumer well knows that 
the increased price in boards is caused by the rapid reduction of available 
timber supply, and that at the rate of forest clearing now going on, the years 
are numbered when it must become exhausted. 
White oak trees, suitable for quarter sawing, must exceed 30 inches diam- 
eter. Presuming the trees to be already started into growth, it will require 
100 years for them to grow into profitable lumber. Red oak will mature in 
somewhat less time, but it is not so valuable. 
White pine in a natural forest requires from 80 to 150 years to produce 
logs acceptable to lumbermen. Yellow poplar, on rich soil, and under favor- 
able conditions, may attain a milling size in 50 or 75 years. 
A cypress tree four feet in diameter has been growing since Columbus 
landed in America. 
The Catalpa, under fairly good conditions, in two decades will make a 
tree 20 inches in diameter, containing 250 feet lumber b. m. The trunk having 
but little sap wood is all available for lumber. 
It compares with butternut in texture and appearance and is suitable for 
any purpose for which walnut and butternut are suited. In color it is a hand- 
some shade of brown. The somewhat open grain absorbs the finishers filling, 
and its capable of being used for imitation of many woods, if desired, yet in 
its natural state it is equal to any American wood. 
In strength it is ample for most purposes. Specific gravity as given by 
Prof. Charles S. Sargent, 0.4474. A cubic foot weighing 27.88 pounds abso- 
lutely dry. 
Mr. E. E. Barney, speaking of Catalpa for railway ties, says: 
“Its durability is unquestionable; it is very elastic: and, contrary to what 
most suppose, it is very tough. I subjected pieces one inch square to a break- 
ing pressure twelve inches between supports. 
“Catalpa broke under a pressure of 703 pounds; ash broke under a pressure 
of 800 pounds: oak broke under a pressure of 7090 pounds: oak broke under a 
pressure of 577 pounds; oak broke under a pressure of I141 pounds. Mean 
809 pounds. 
