The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-14
.CATALPA Trees
TO Be PLANTED ]. | Y ]
MIR. John p. Brown to Plant
Tract For Southern
Railroad.
ADVOCATES FOR OF VIRGINIA GIN
Says Catalpa Tree is Invaluable
For Durability Trying to
Meet Dep1etion Of Forests.

Mr.. JOHN p. Brown, secretary OF the
international Society or Arboriculture.
and editor Of "Arboriculture." the man
azine published by that soc,ety,is at the
Richmond Hotel, to arrange FOR the plant
ing Of 10000 catalpn spcciosa trees at
Wolf Trap, Halifax county. Va. for the
Southern Railroad. Mr.. Brown Is res
ident OF Connersvillc, Ind. He is the
originator of extensive tree planting by
railways and corporations. which has in
view the saving OF the present and In
creasing rapid depletion OF the forestry
OF the country. n serious menace Of
which few people realize.
When seen last night, Mr.. Brown said
that this extensive planting OF the fa-
nous Catalpa tree has In view the grow
ing OF forests for the production OF cfoss-
ties and saving lumber. and that car
load OF the trees Is now at Wolf Trap
awaiting tho planters. He explains that
this variety OF the Catalpa is not OF the
Virginia species. which is Of tho bigno-
nioides variety and worthless scrub
tree. but the catalpn spcciosa which is
OF extreme value, growing to n height
OF $50 feet. with a seven foot clrcum-
ference. This species originated in the
Wabash Valley In Indiana. wnere the err
~ settlers soon recognized its worth and
extensively cultivated It for their use.
It Is one OF the most durable Of woods.
he says. cross-ties made Of 1t having
been exhibited at the st. Louis Fair
which had been In constant use OF a
fectly sound. Even posts eighty-three
years old were In good state OF pres
ervation. and fence rails were as sound
as when made. after eight years SER
vice.
For All Purposes of'Lumber.
The tree is good no. only for such
purposes. but for all purposes OF lum-
Der. Mr.. Brown says that magnificent
palace car section Mt the Worlds Fair
was entirely constructed OF Catalpa. the
finish not being exceeded by any other
wood "A stairway and interior house
finish were also shown, with doors, pan
els, turned spindles. newell posts and
ceiling all OF Catalpa Desks. buffets
chairs. elegantly carved ana many other
pieces OF furniture were also showni
put Is demonstrated by the fact that
Catalpa trees were taken to Maine and
there manufactured into wood pulp and
so into paper.
1t may be extensively planted, SsS trees
being put to the acre. After eight years
OF growth. three fourths Of this may
4 be cut and used for fence posts. and
the rest left to grow until they may be
used for crossties.
The catalpa is also extensively planted
near Mobile by the Louisville and Nash
Vile Railroad. at New Orleans by the
Illinois Central Railroad The Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Is also planting extern
sive tracts. as are many other railroads
OF the country. now beginning to realize
the extreme value OF this timber.
The International Society OF Arboricul-
ture does not confine It's attention to adj
8vocating the catalpa tree, but all trees.
more especially those OF economic value
In the perpetuation OF the American
forests.
Mr.. Brown considers that the planting
of the catalpa in Virginia will be OF vast
benefit to the State, as manufacturers
depend to large extent, upon the wood
supplies. which are to-day being rapidly
exhausted by the terrible inroads now
being made into American forestry.
He says that the sandy soil OF Virginia,
Eastern Maryland and Delaware are espe-
cially adapted to the growth Of the
catalpa, and predicts a great future for 1t
In these States.
General NJ. j. Palmer. Of Colorado
Spring. is the president OF the society.
and Mr. Browns its secretary
II a.