The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-04-15
A FOREST IN TWENTY YEARS.
CataIpa Tree Gives a Growth a Hun
dred Feet in TWO Decades.

dred Feet in Two Decades.
How forest of extremely valuable
timber may be grown in score OF
years, and made source of profit
within six to eight years, will be de-
monstrated in an interesting exhibit
at the Worlds fair.
This exhibit will be made under the
auspices of the International Society of
Arboriculture. John P. Brown, secre-
tary and treasurer of the association,
has consulted with the chiefs of de-
partments at the Worlds fair and has
made all arrangements.
That particular variety of the catal-
pa tree, known as speciosa, will be the
basis for this exhibit and the great
value and adaptability of this wood
Will be shown in all forms. The catal-
pa is Indigenous to the Wabash bottom
lands in Illinois and Indiana, but may
be grown in any section of the United
States. The tree is known nearly
everywhere, but it's great value is just
beginning to be understood. Nearly
every boy knows the tree because of
the long and slender seed pod which,
when dried, burns much like tobacco,
and is often known as the "lady cl-
gars.'
1t is the worth of the timber, and its
marvelously quick growth, that is, des-
tined to solve the problem of future
railroad building, and furnishing sup
ply of lumber for all purposes.
In the Worlds fair exhibit a section
Of railroad will be built showing the
adaptability of catalpa timber for ties.
Old ties that have been in use for 80
years, and not yet showing any signs
Of decay, will shown. When it is
shown that the average life of an oak
tie Is seven years, the catalpa's value
on this line Is demonstrated. There
will be telegraph and telephone poles
that have been in use as long and
fence posts will be exhibited that can
be proven to have been In use for
100 years.
Not alone for these purposes is the
wood of the catalpa valuable. A prom
inent Dayton, O., car building plant
will exhibit a section of palace car,
all of the timbers of which, inside
and out, are of catalpa wood. The
timber possesses all of the require
ments for such work, being strong
and susceptible of fine finish. After
1t has been placed In the finish OF a
palace car it is often mistaken for oak,
chestnut or cherry. Furniture factories
will also exhibit fine chairs, desks and
other furniture from this wood.
After the thinning out process the
growth Of the tree continues at the
uniform rate of one-inch in diameter
each year and catalpa trees at Is years
old often reach as high as 100 feet, thus
yielding large return of splendid lum-
Der.
Among the large railroad systems
to recognize the Importance of tree
planting in order to, guarantee a sup.
ply of ties for the future, is the Illinois
Central. At a point near De Quoin,
ILL.,, 100000 catalpa trees were planted
three years ago, when President Stuy-
vesant Fish became interested in the
work of the Agriculture Society.
These trees are thriving now, and in
few years, when the thinning out pro-
cess begins, many Of the ties in the
illinois Central railroad will be cut
from this forest created in the heart
of the vast Illinois prairie. The same
road is planting similar forests in
and contemplates the es.
adjustment of others.