House and Garden 
RAISING LOCUST FOR FENCE POSTS 
^ I 'HE timber of the locust has found 
extensive use as fence posts, ribs 
of vessels, tree nails, telegraphic insu¬ 
lator shanks and in the manufacture of 
vehicles, says a writer in “ Forestry and 
Irrigation.” It has also been used some¬ 
what for railroad ties and telegraph 
poles. Its great durability in contact 
with the soil makes it very valuable for 
use in the ground, and its toughness and 
elasticity adapt it to use where great 
strength is required. On account of its 
tendency to produce a short trunk and 
numerous branches it is not well suited 
for use as telegraph poles, and seldom 
produces one of good length, but if 
planted thickly and pruned while young 
it will produce straight poles eighteen to 
twenty feet long. 
It is most commonly used for fence 
posts, for which purpose it is extensively 
grown. The ease with which it is 
handled, its rapid growth while young 
and its ability to endure extremes of heat 
and drought add to its usefulness for 
this purpose. A post of four to five 
inches in diameter can be produced on 
good soil in seven or eight years, and 
when used in the ground will last from 
eight to fifteen years. Unlike many 
timbers, the young wood is almost as 
durable in the soil as the old, on account 
of the large proportion of heartwood. 
Many farmers and ranchmen have 
established plantations to supply the 
posts and poles required in keeping up 
fences and sheds, in this way saving 
themselves a very substantial amount 
annually. 
The locust is propagated easily from 
root cuttings and from seed. The latter 
is the most common method. The seed 
retains its vitality for a number of years 
it kept in the pods or buried deep in the 
ground, in the latter case having been 
known to grow after seven years; but 
seed out of the pods will not germinate 
well after two years. The pods ripen 
about July or August and the seed can 
be sown immediately, when it will gen¬ 
erally come up and make a considerable 
start the same season; if kept for spring 
planting it is advisable to keep the seed 
in moist sand in a cool place during the 
winter. Old seed and that kept dry 
over winter is best handled by soaking 
in warm water for a day or two imme¬ 
diately before planting. The seed when 
once soaked should not be allowed to dry 
Plan the right heating 
If you are newly build¬ 
ing, don’t discredit your 
property at the start by 
putting in old-fashioned 
forms of heating. 
Whether planning a 
new house or intending 
to move, don’t overlook 
the great importance of 
a modern heating equip¬ 
ment There isn’t any other feature of the home which will 
save you so 
These outfits for 
Low - Pressure 
Steam or Hot 
i Amcanx Ideal 
much or give 
you equa 
^ j— .a I vsrear 
comfort as 1 I RADIATORS '^IBOILERS Water will soon 
repay their cost 
in coal savings, lessened labor, absence of repairs, and low insurance. All ash- 
dust, smoke, soot, and coal-gases are kept out of the living-rooms—reducing 
house-cleaning one-half and saving the wear on carpets, 
decorations, and furniture. 
If property is sold you get back their full value, or they attract and 
hold best tenants at 10% to 15% higher rental. The saving of but 
one ton of coal in a year will meet the interest upon $100, and this 
sum will nearly cover the difference in the cost of IDEAL Boilers 
and AMERICAN Radiators as compared with a hot-air furnace for a 
good-size cottage. 
IDEAL Boilers and AMERICAN Radiators are annually replacing 
thousands of hot-air furnaces and stoves that have been found 
wasteful and wanting in OLD cottages, houses, stores, churches, 
schools, etc. Ever heard of any one going back to other forms of 
heating once they have tried our way ? Any argument in that to you ? 
Please let us tell you the full why, how, and present attractive price. 
No tearing-up necessary—and in these less hurried months you get 
the services of the most skillful, quickest fitters ! Ask for free valu¬ 
able booklet. Inquiries cordially welcomed. 
This small, plain, perfectly 
smooth Radiator is one of 
several thousand patterns 
and sizes of AMERICAN 
Radiation made to fit any 
architectural needs. It is so 
clean and cleanable—suited 
to narrow halls, bathrooms, 
nursery, etc. 
DEPT. 10 
CHICAGO 
/ IMERICAN R ADIATOR r OMPANY 
Hartshorn Shade Rollers 
Wood Rollers 
Tin Rollers 
Bear the script name of 
Stewart Hartshorn on label. 
Get “ Improved,” no tacks required. 
I)i writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
I 
