Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-11-07
A Great oata,pa Plantation

About 20 years ago western railroad
commenced experiments in forest tree
growing. Under the direction of Prof.
Sergeant, of the Harvard University,
perhaps 100 acres of white ash, wild
cherry. black walnut, Usage orange,
catalpa bignonioides and cataIpa
specfosa were planted. After noticing
their various growths and habits for
three or four years and seeing the cat
slpa speciosa making the greatest and
most satisfactory growth, and knowing
its superior value, it was decided to
plant largely of this variety. Conse-
quently contract was made with the
late Robert Douglass to plant some.
thing over thousand acres of this val.
liable tree. The last of the planting
was done about 10 years ago. There
are now some two millions of this
noble tree,-a monument to the enter.
prise and forethought. Originally
there were over two and one half mill
ion trees. Some died and some thin
ming has been done. And much mora
thinning should be done at once for the
future good of the plantation.
From careful observation of the trees
and examination of the soil, it was
easily seen that a mistake had been
made in selecting the land on which
these trees were planted. A portion of
1t was all right, being very rich and
loamy. There the trees have made q
magnificent growth. Other portions
are strongly impregnated with alkalt
and spots of genuine hardpan, causing
the trees to be inferior. This blunder
could have been avoided if good judg-
ment had been used in selecting the
land, as the company owned plenty of
rich land, free from alkali. Upon the
best land found during recent visit
many trees 12 to 15 inches in diameter
two feet from the ground, and as near
a. the eye would calculate 40 to so #.
high. / believe there are 1000 trees to
The acre on this rich land that would
average 10 Inches in diameter and 40
Il. high, many Of them standing as
straight as plum line. Counting trees
of all sizes each acre bears from 1900
to 1900 trees. On account of the last
ing qualities of the catslps a large
number of valuable telegraph poles can
be cut from each acre. do not think
1t an exaggeration to say that at least
so telegraph poles can be cut from each
acre of this best land every year for
10 or 20 years. AS telegraph poles are
worth from SO to 81 delivered, it is
easily seen what an immense revenue is
sure to come from catalps plantation.
OF course the uses Of catalpa trees
are not confined to telegraph poles. but
its greatest value consists in this enter
prise on the scarcity of pole timber.
The price is advancing every year, and
it is predicted that in less than ten
years poles will cost not less than S5
apiece. The tree is also valuable for
fence posts and railroad ties. For fur
niture and inside work it is second to
none. This communication is being
written on desk made from catalpa
tree, the seed Of which planted just
ten years before 1t was cut. The tree
measured over 10 inches in diameter.
1t makes as fine q finish as San Domin-
go mahogany. A number of tree plan
tstions in different parts of Kansas are
now old enough to produce large rev.
enues.
If this tree-growing enterprise was
conducted on more extensive scale,
q timber famine might mot only be
sverted, hut millions of dollars would
be realized from small investments.