The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-05-08

Since we see several Of our neigh
bors planting locust trees We will
give the experience and views Of
III. c. Rogers. Of Ohio. as found in
Upto-Daie Farming. April ist, 1908
cArALPA THE lREE TO GROW.
most heartily agree with the
advice Up-io Date Farming gives IN
the article on page 10 in January
18th issue, Ito be a-stickin' In a
tree" but must object 10 the advice
you give at the finish OF the article.
''to plant locust trees above other
kinds"
During the past three years have
set $50 acres Of my own land here
in the best part OF Ohio to forest
trees this land is worth from SIS 10
500 per acre for farming purposes.
Before I commenced planting these
trees / spent several years investi-
eating the whole subject OF growing
forest trees as farm crop and |
found that the Catslpa Speciosa tree
was by far the most profitable one to
grow.
Isill give some OF my reasons for
pTeiesring the Catalpa Speciosa tree
10 any other; First and most i'm
pofiant, found that the Catalpa was
the fastest groEing tree m America
that has any commercial value !
found that Caialpa trees on suitable
soil here in Ohio will grow one inch
in thickness for each years growth
up 10 twenty-five years al least
second, Catalpa wood is suitable for
more uses than any other American
wood. This Is a strong statement,
but ! have had tests made Of the
wood and hnd It 10 take the place OF
oak, ash and hickory fJr carriage
makers use for handles OF all kinds
u Is superior 10 ash, being sitter
and lighter than ash. AS a bending
wood i Is also superior TO ash, hold
ing It's place after being bent better
than any known wood. For the in
terror house finish, nothing can be
more beautiful, and Tor all kinds OF
furniture, il is the equal Of the COM
mon woods used for such purposes.
For farmers uses 10 the ground. Ca
ialpa wood is the equal Of Black Lo-
Gust, and foi telephone poles iis
lightness, combined with It's durabili.
~ and great strength. puts il ahead
Of White CedeT. which has been the
standard ior years.
I have had breaking tests made Of
Catalpa wood, comparing i with
Hickory and Ash. In absolute
strength il tell below Hickory and
vas far above Ash. In toughness,
that Is, the quality OF bending and
not breaking, 1t far exceeded HEX
DRY.
Last, bat not least, the Caialpa
tree has no borer enemies that 10.
juie It's wood and Kill the tree. The
only enemy the Catalpa tree has is
a worm tina, sometimes eats the
leaves. but this never materially in
jures the tree.
In most OF the Eastern and Mid
die States, the Locust boref has be-
come 50 destructive 10 the Locust
trees, that IL is even chances at least.
II they ever reach fence-post size be-
fore being killed. MI. James Bra
den, Of near Belleiountain, in this
state, has lost a tventy-acre field OF
Locust trees from the Tavages Of the
torer, before his trees reached a
size large enough 10 make posts.
In some Of the Western and South
western States, Locust trees do not
seem 10 be bothered as yet by the
borers, but the Locust is one-pur-
pose tree, for posts and poles are
about the only use il can be put To-.
Understand me, ] have no preiu-
dice against the Locust tree, but do
not consider Il 70 compare at all
with the Caialpa tree as a business
proposition.
The most serious drawback 10 the
planting Of the Catalpa tree is the
fact that there are three kinds Of
CstalPa trees and only one OF them
the "Specioa," has any value for
timber purposes. The average
nurseryman does not seem 70 know
or care which kind OF seed he pro-
cures when growing these trees, and
the consequence rs there have been
millions Of the "sorub," Catalpa