28 
to 26 feet and a diameter of 8 to 10 inches. At this point it was deemed expedient to 
terminate the experiment, and the trees -were cat down and used for engine wood. 
"In 1877 Mr. C. P. Huntington sent a hox of Catalpa seed (C. bignonioides), with a 
strong recommendation that it he tested with a view to cultivate a plantation for tie- 
timber. The wood of the Catalpa is coarse-grained and light, hut it has the reputa- 
tion of heing the most durable under ground of all timber. Cases are quoted of its 
lasting, buried in the ground, eighty years and upwards without showing signs of rot. 
(Ohio Agricultural Report, 1871. ) The Goshen Branch, just built at this time, passed 
through a treeless region where the land was moist and very fertile, hence it was 
deemed a good place for the Catalpa experiment, and a parcel of land, fifteen acres in 
extent, was selected for that purpose in the town of Hanford, Tulare County, California. 
This tract was planted with Catalpa trees raised from the seed sent out by Mr. Hunt- 
ington. The trees were set out 8 feet apart, north and south. They throve remark- 
ably well, growing almost as rapidly as the Eucalyptus trees about San Francisco Bay. 
But in the course of time the company received what was thought to be a very advan- 
tageous offer for this land, and it was sold. Though the experimental grove was thus 
taken out of our hands, it yet continues to flourish, and I learn from the report of the 
compauy's agent that these trees, which are now seven years old, have attained a 
height of from 50 to GO feet and are from 8 to 12 inches in diameter. They have now, 
therefore, reached a size when some of the trees might be cut for ties. They were 
planted 32G to the acre. If one-fourth of these could be cut for ties, and by splitting 
them through the center, as is suggested, four ties be made from, a tree, this ground 
may be considered to bear already a very valuable crop.* 
" It was considered that the most important work in hand was that of planting out 
about the stations and section houses. To have a cheap and convenient source from 
which to procure tree-plants it was deteimined to establish two nurseries, one in the 
northern, the other in the southern j)ortion of California. For the first a block of land 
belonging to the company was selected in the town of Chico ; for the second locality 
we took a portion of the right of way situated between Sumner Station, California, and 
the Kern River. The strong clay soil of Chico was relied on to produce the plants of 
the Catalpa, Locust, Walnut, Poplar, and certain fruit trees, while the sandy soil and 
hot climate of the Kern River valley was expected to produce the different varieties 
of the Eucalyptus, Acacia, and Pepper Trees, and cert ain trees of arid habitat. 
' ' From these sources we soon had an abundant supply of tree-plants. In the spring 
of 1877 the whole of the country east of Tulare Lake and south of the present town 
of Tulare was an unoccupied waste, used only sparingly for pasture. With a view 
of demonstrating that this treeless waste could be made fit for homes, a half section 
of land was selected in the midst of this area at a point just south of Tipton. This 
was inclosed with a fence and planted with Eucalyptus and Acacia trees, and for 
their maintenance an effort was made to get an artesian well, which resulted success- 
fully. A good flow of water was obtained at a depth of 403 feet. Stimulated with 
this water the tree-plants grew fairly well and presented the appearance of a grove. 
"The example was followed by settlers, who bought land and soon were sinkiug 
artesian wells and making homes throughout this section, showing that one object of 
the experiment had been accomplished. We soon found, however, that the Blue 
Gum was too susceptible to frost to thrive permanently at Tipton. Each winter bit- 
ing, frosty air pours down from the mountains out of the canon of Deer Creek on to 
this particular tract, thus killing the tender Blue Gums in spite of their strong sum- 
mer growth. 
* Irrigation has been extensively carried on in this region, and its summer climate 
is undoubtedly more humid than is generally the case in the interior valleys of Cali- 
fornia. However this may be, the Catalpa trees planted along the company's lines at 
all the principal stations in California have not thriven well, apparently beiug ill- 
adapted to the long warm and rainless seasons. 
