34° BULLETIN 153, U. S.. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ~ 
of the tree’s requirements it can not yet be recommended for such — 
sites. Jt is also growmg on sandy upland soul in Rhode Island, but | 
has not attained a large size there. Much catalpa has been planted 
under circumstances which practically insure financial loss. Agents — 
have exaggerated the good qualities of the species, and have sold a 
large amount of stock at $20 to $25 per thousand, advising that it 
be planted on almost any soil, good or poor, which happened to be 
available. Prospective planters should consult their State forestry 
officials or the United States Forest Service. 
BLACK LOCUST (Robinia pseudacacia Linn.). 
Were it not for the locust borer, black locust could be recom- 
mended as one of the best trees for forest planting throughout most 
of the eastern region. It grows well on poor, sandy, gravelly, or clay 
soils, sprouts vigorously, and is hardy as far north as southern Mich- 
igan, but farther north is killed back in winter. One exceptionally 
good plantation in Indiana has reached a diameter of 7 inches and a 
height of 45 feet in 13 years. The wood isvery durable in contact with 
the ground, and makes valuable fence posts. But on account of the 
likelihood of destructive attacks by the locust borer the planting of 
black locust for commercial purposes can not be recommended. 
Some plantations, it is true, have not been attacked by the insect; 
some localities are at present free from it; but plantations from Kan- 
sas to New England have been seriously injured, and to set out black 
locust to-day for commercial purposes would be a very doubtful 
venture. 
OTHER SPECIES. 
Certain other species promise well for the eastern region, although 
they have not all been tested to the age of maturity. Young planta- 
tions of western yellow pine are growing well on poor, rocky clay 
agricultural lands in Ohio and southern Michigan, and on dry, deep, 
sandy lands in New York, and there seems to be no reason why the 
spec ies should not do fail as well in New England on similar pile 
It is quite hardy and resistant to drought. 
Chestnut would be an excellent tree to plant, particularly i in south- 
ern New England, Pennsylvania, and parts of New York and Ohio, 
were it not for the very virulent fungus, Hndothia parasitica (Murrill) 
Anderson, which has killed a great many trees and threatens to 
destroy most of the remaining stands. No practical method of com- 
bating this disease has been devised, so it is not advisable at present 
to start plantations of chestnut. 
Yellow poplar should do well in the eastern region on moist hill- 
sides with good, well-drained soils, or along the banks of streams. 
It produces valuable timber, commands a high stumpage price, and 
makes fairly rapid growth. 
ef. 
