FORESTRY COMMISSION. 99 



showing yields from large plantations and full cultural directions are 

 to be found in Bulletin No. 37 of the Bureau and this may be had by 

 applying to the Forester. 



This tree is hardy in xMichigan, throughout the southern part of the 

 lower peninsula, and grows, when planted, as far north as Bay City, 

 in the HagainaAv Bay region, and as far as ( Irand Kapids on the western 

 side of the State, but whether the s])eeies will generally endure excep- 

 tionally cold winters, north of these places, is doubtful, as many trees 

 of good size and thrifty habit were killed in the winter of 1903-4 in 

 various parts of the State, while in the same localities other specimens 

 survived. The contention is made by advocates of the more general 

 use of the si)ecies, that the true hardy catalpa is rarely to be obtained 

 from nurserymen and that its close relative, the common or southern 

 catalpa is sent out in its stead, and that this is the tree which does 

 not endure our winters. While this may be true, the natural range 

 of the hardy species is south of the southern boundary of our State and 

 it is probable that it will not grow to full maturity in the northern part 

 of the State. 



This tree in order to make most rapid growth should bo planted 

 upon good soil which is well watered, but it will do fairly well upon 

 poorer sites. 



The common or black locust is a more hardy tree, all hough also of 

 southern origin. It grows rapidly in almost any situation, will thrive 

 in poor soil, upon embankments, on steep and dry slopes, and is ca])able 

 of making excellent post timber. If it is grown under the best condi- 

 tions, it makes large growth in a short time, but if it is to Ijc grown to 

 timber size, it should be mixed with other kinds of trees, especially 

 those of somewhat slower growth, and denser foliage, for, as it ap- 

 proaches maturity, the locust top becomes thin and this leaves the soil 

 unprotected and open to weeds and to wash and the sweep of winds, 

 all of which should be avoided. The proper mixture for different con- 

 ditions of locality and tyjie of soil can only be determined after the 

 careful study of local conditions, but for the production of posts and 

 other small material, the locust may be planted by itself and no mixture 

 need be considered necessary. 



The chestnut is a native of the southern and southeastern parts of 

 the State and makes rapid and persistent growth in those places where 

 it is found at all and will undoubtedly grow well upon well drained 

 and fairly good soil in most of the counties of the lower peninsula. 

 It has been planted with success as a shade tree in various parts of 

 the State, and there are a few plantings which have been made for 

 growing nuts, but none, so far as the writer knows, for the purpose 

 of timber production. The tree has been very commonly planted for 

 posts and poles in southern New England and in Pennsylvania and 

 New York, and excellent results haA'e been obtained from its use. Some 

 writers upon the subject have urged that the species be planted for its 

 fruit, the sweet chestnut of commerce, and, judging by the price at 

 which these nuts are sold in their season, such plantings should be 

 very profitable. It should be remembered, however, that the trees 

 which are planted for this purpose must receive very different treat- 

 ment from those set out for timber production. 



