The pumpkin ash, _Fraxinus tomentosa_ Michx., grows in deep river swamps in southern Illinois. It is a tall slender tree, usually with a much enlarged base. The twigs are light gray. The leaves, with 7 to 9 leaflets, smooth above and soft downy below, are from 10 to 18 inches long. The black ash, _Fraxinus nigra_ Marsh., appears occasionally on the flood plains in the northern part of the State. It may be known by its ashy light gray bark, its very thick twigs and sessile, long-pointed sharply serrate leaflets. +CATALPA+ _Catalpa speciosa_ Warder THIS is a native to the Wabash Valley of Illinois, but has been widely planted and has spread somewhat farther as a result of cultivation. It is a medium sized tree with a short trunk and broad head with spreading branches. Because of its attractive flowers and conspicuous heart-shaped leaves, it is considerably used for shade and ornament. The _bark_ varies from dark gray to brown, slightly rough, being divided in narrow shallow strips or flakes. The _leaves_ are simple, opposite, oval, long-pointed, 6 to 10 inches long, and heart-shaped at the base. [Illustration: CATALPA Leaf, one-third natural size. Twig, two-thirds natural size.] The _flowers_ appear in clusters or panicles in May or June. They are white with purple and yellow markings, and this makes them decidedly showy and attractive. The _fruit_ consists of a bean-like pod, 8 to 16 inches long. It hangs on the tree over winter and gradually splits into 2 parts, or valves. The seeds are about 1 inch long and terminate in wings that are rounded and short-fringed at the ends. They are freely carried by the wind. The _wood_ is rather soft, light, coarse-grained and durable in contact with the soil. It is used for fence posts, poles and fuel, and occasionally for railroad ties. The paulownia, _Paulownia tomentosa_ (Thumb). Steud., is a large tree native of China with the aspect of the catalpa with broad opposite leaves. Its upright pyramidal clusters of pale violet flowers which appear with the unfolding of the leaves are strikingly handsome. The individual flowers are bell-shaped, two inches long and spotted with darker purple. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION Division of Forestry THE State Division of Forestry was organized in 1926 as a division of the Department of Conservation. It was organized at that time as a result of an increased need for proper forestry practices within the State on the part of the owners of timber land and potential timber lands. The objectives of the Division are as follows: 1. To promote and assist in the reforestation of idle lands unfit for agriculture. 2. To prevent and control woods fires. 3. To control erosion by the planting of trees. 4. To establish State forests to act as demonstration areas in timber land management. 5. To assist Illinois farmers, landowners, and corporations in woodland management practices.