26 WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS. 



even more important in the future. It does not grow very rapidly, 

 but it assumes a value as soon as it reaches crosstie size, and one 

 which increases for a century or more. The Texan oak (Quercus 

 texana), usually designated simply as red oak or spotted oak, also 

 promises to remain as a permanent resource in the State, and the 

 same is true of post oak (Quercus minor). 



Hickory, ash, and red gum may always be counted on to hold their 

 place. Hickory is very easy to plant, is hardy, and has a fairly rapid 

 growth. Arkansas is included within its natural range, and it will 

 probably be one of the safest trees to plant for commercial purposes, 

 provided due care is exercised in selection of species and soils. 



Persimmon also promises to figure in the future timber supply of 

 Arkansas. It provides material for shuttles and shoe lasts, and the 

 market is likely to be permanent and prices reasonably good. Few 

 forest trees are better able to take care of themselves than persimmon. 

 It sprouts vigorously from roots, even after repeated cuttings. It 

 grows rather slowly, but since the sapwood and not the heartwood is 

 most valuable, trees need not be very large to be merchantable. The 

 dark heartwood, however, is valuable for some kinds of inlay. 



Osage orange, which is now the highest priced native wood of the 

 United States, thrives well when planted in Arkansas, though its 

 natural range lies southwest in Oklahoma and Texas. Its chief use 

 is for fence posts and wagon felloes. As long as land is farmed fence 

 posts will be needed in large numbers, and nearly every farmer can 

 grow what posts he needs by utilizing rough or waste corners of his 

 land. Osage orange is not the only good tree for this purpose. 

 Locust (Robinia pseudacacia) lasts as well and grows as rapidly, but 

 in some localities it is liable to attack by the locust borer. 1 Its nat- 

 ural range barely touches Arkansas, but it grows vigorously when 

 planted. Catalpa is another post timber which does well when 

 planted in the State, and red mulberry is another. A good deal of 

 mulberry grows wild. 



There is no lack of good species and suitable soils to supply timber 

 for Arkansas for all the future, if an effective forest policy is inaugu- 

 rated in the State. Much timber still remains, but not enough to 

 meet for many years a demand like the present. The history of 

 nearly all of the older lumber-producing States has been the same. 

 For a time they supplied themselves and sold to their neighbors, then 

 home supply and home demand became equal, and finally the people 

 were obliged to buy away from home. For some years Arkansas will 

 have a surplus, but the tide will turn. Timber will then be scarce 

 nearly everywhere, and the State or the region which has neglected 

 its woodlands and used them excessively, and wasted unreasonably, 

 will face a crisis in its industrial affairs. 



1 This insect and its control are discussed in Bureau of Entomology Circular 83, U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture. 



