256 “PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 
THE CATALPA TREE FOR CROSS-TIES. 
The Pennsylvania Railway Company, while making investigations rela- 
tive to the planting of forests for the production of cross-ties and lumber, 
sent officials to examine the Catalpa exhibit of the International Society of 
Arboriculture at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which was so complete 
in its evidence and so convincing that the company has planted a forest of 
Catalpa speciosa in Kosciusko county, Indiana. 
Mr. Frank I. Brown, of Fort Wayne, Ind., the lumber agent of the 
company, made the report, which we here append almost entire. 
CATALPA TREES FOR RAILROAD CROSS-TIES. 
This subject originated through a reference of Mr. Turner, third vice- 
president, under the date of Nov. 20, 1902, calling attention to letter written 
by Mr. J. P. Brown, editor of ARnorIcULTURE, and the question was referred to 
the chairman of the Roadway and Ballast Committee for investigation and report. 
INVESTIGATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
There are at least two distinct varieties of Catalpa trees indigenous to 
the United States. We have also the Japanese variety, and many hybrids. 
Bignonioides, the Southern variety, is the most common, growing naturally 
in all of the Southern States and much cultivated as a lawn tree throughout 
the North. Owing to its prevalence, the opinions of most of us relative to the 
value of Catalpa trees for cross-ties and other commercial purposes are 
naturally, but erroneously, formed from our familiarity with this variety, 
which from its low growth and spreading habit is totally worthless as a 
timber tree. 
Catalpa speciosa, the native forest tree of the lower Wabash valley, is 
entirely distinct, a much superior variety, and is the only form of the species 
which should be cultivated for any purpose. All other forms should be 
avoided. 
The value of this tree was known to the early settlers of that region, who 
preferred it for almost every purpose for which wood is used, even covering 
the roofs of their houses with shingles split from Catalpa trees. It was exten- 
sively used for cross-ties and telegraph poles in constructing the first railways 
through southern Illinois. Because of this appreciation the natural forests 
