16 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



elusive, 385 acres were planted with tion is brought by easterly winds bear- 

 nursery stock and 1,280 acres were ing moisture from the Gulf. The east- 

 sown by various methods, at a cost of ern side of the range therefore receives 

 over $17,000. For five years prior to a much heavier rainfall, and conse- 

 1910 experimental work in both plant- quently affords better planting condi- 

 ing and sowing on numerous areas from tions. The average annual precipita- 

 a quarter of an acre to several acres in tion for the entire region increases 

 extent was carried on. The experi- steadily with altitude. At 6,000 feet it 

 ments were conducted upon all of the is 14.58 inches, and at 14,111 feet it is 

 various situations present on the water- 29.55 inches. The average annual tem- 

 shed. The actual results of many of peratures decrease with altitude from 

 these plantations were total failures, but 47.3° F. at 6,000 feet to 36.3° F. at 

 whether successful or not they all con- 10,265 feet, and 19.3° F. at 14,111 feet, 

 tributed toward the solution of the Since the three factors of precipitation, 

 problems that must be met in the sue- temperature, and wind have an impor- 

 eessful reforestation of this area, and tant bearing on the reforestation work, 

 the experience gained in this experi- they are given careful consideration in 

 mental work has enabled the forest choosing the species to be used and the 

 officers in charge to formulate certain methods to be followed. To this list 

 principles which puts the reforestation of important factors should be added a 

 work on this and similar situations upon fourth, viz : aspect, since the latter de- 

 a definite and practical basis, so that, termines very largely the humidity at 

 given a situation, they know by experi- the surface, the amount of direct insola- 

 ence the best method to pursue. tion of the sun, the depth of snow, etc. 



There are a great variety of situa- From experience gained through the 



tions represented on the watershed be- experimental work and the study of the 



cause of the isolated position of the factors which have influenced the suc- 



range. The Pike's Peak range, some- cess of the work already done, it is pos- 



times called the Rampart Range, of sible to lay down certain definite rules 



which Pike's Peak is the highest eleva- or principles to be followed in this 



tion, is a short, isolated range of moun- reforestation work. The following 



tains which rises close to the border of points are a brief summary of these 



the plains. Pike's Peak lies at the principles, which may be considered as 



northernmost end, and from it the range more or less general in their application 



spreads out wedge-shaped to the south to similar situations, both in the Pike's 



and southeast, sinking rapidly to the Peak region and elsewhere, 

 foothills where the Arkansas Valley The highest elevation at which refor- 



merges with the Great Plains of east- estation is attempted is about 10,800 



ern Colorado. Eastward from the feet. Direct sowing is more apt to be 



peak lies the broad semi-arid plains, and successful at high altitudes than at low 



to the north and west a low mountain- ones, because moisture at the surface is 



ous country well wooded with a cover quite essential, but the success of seed 



of Western yellow pine and Douglas sowing on any situation, high or low. 



fir. In each of the latter directions it depends so largely upon climatic condi- 



is 50 miles as a crow fles to the nearest tions, and these vary so greatly in this 



mountains of equal height. particular region that the outcome of 



lake's Peak is the last high barrier in seeding operations is always uncertain 



the i)ath of the prevailing westerly On all sites, therefore, except perhaps 



winds. In crossing the high Continen- in the most favorable, planting should 



tal Divide these winds are drained of be given preference over direct seeding, 



their moisture and are parched and dry Whether sowing or planting is resorted 



when they strike the western slope of to, the wind is a serious handicap to re- 



the Rampart Range, where they dry out foreStation work. It dries out the soil, 



the soil and blow away the fine humus blo\vs away the fine soil and humus, re- 



and loam, leaving the surface dry and duces the humidity of the air and blights 



gravelly. Nearly all of the precipita- the young plants. The western expos- 



