PRACTICHL ARBORICULTURE 265 
tracks under the new rail, where he can identify them at any time. The old 
ties were taken out because they were too thin for the large spikes now used, 
but not one was rotten or broken. He lays particular stress upon the fact that 
he has never seen a broken Catalpa tie, while many of the oak ties were found 
to be broken when taken out. He says that they hold the spike very well, 
and are not decayed or broken away from corrosion where the metal comes 
in contact with the wood. 
Mr. Wheeler can also point out many telegraph poles still in good condi- 
tion where they have been since the line was built. 
Many prominent railroad men have entire confidence in Mr. Brown, and 
faith in his methods, among whom I will mention Mr. Fish, president of the 
Illinois Central; Mr. Smith, president of the Louisville and Nashville, and Mr. 
Kittredge, chief engineer of the Big Four, all of whom have had plantations 
started on lands belonging to their respective companies. 
The Illinois Central has the Harahan plantation of two hundred and fifty 
acres near New Orleans, and also a plantation of two hundred acres at 
Duquoin, Ill. 
The Louisville and Nashville has established a large plantation near 
Pensacola, Fla.; another at Newport, Ky., near the mouth of the Licking 
River; one at Shawneetown, Ill.; one at East St. Louis, as well as several 
others at various points in southern Illinois. I am not informed as to the 
acreage of the Louisville and Nashville plantations. 
The Big Four has a young plantation near Indianapolis. The B. & M. and 
the B. & A. have started plantations in New England. 
The Southern Pacific has several small plantations in Texas. The N. 
©. & N. E. has several small plantations on their lands in Louisiana and 
Mississippi. 
The Mexican Central has recently begun a number of small plantations 
in Mexico. 
President Diaz, of Mexico, who is deeply interested in the subject, has 
ordered several plantations for the government of Mexico. 
All of the plantations just mentioned are under the general direction and 
management of Mr. J. P. Brown, whose services are free for the advancement 
of the cause, and all are planted 8x8 feet. Unfortunately for the purpose of 
this report they are of too recent planting to prove what Mr. Brown's method 
will accomplish in producing trees for cross-ties, but it seems evident from 
the growth of the street trees in various places and those in farm rows, which 
have in twelve to eighteen years attained both girth and height sufficient for 
cross-ties and poles without the slightest attempt at cultivation, that these 
plantations, under careful and intelligent management, will show results 
far in advance of those obtained by methods of close planting, which has 
proved a failure in every case, save in producing fence posts. 
In starting a plantation it is of the greatest importance to secure the 
right seed or young plants. Neither bignonioides nor hybrids will produce 
strong, upright growth, no matter which method is followed. Judging 
entirely from what I have seen, I believe that proper cultivation and pruning 
will insure good results. 
