1044 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



FIKTY-VEAR-OLD WHITE PINE PLANTATION 



The author estimates that waste land in Massachusetts planted this year with four-year-old pine seedlings would, in 1965, after deducting cost 

 uf I'lanting and care, interest un investment and taxes, yield a net profit of $140,000,000. 



and planted, either at random or in rows, and spaced 

 at distances varying from four to fifteen feet. At the 

 end of that period there were in Massachusetts alone 

 forest plantations to the extent of 10,000 acres. 



Interest then began to decline, owing to the immense 

 supply of lumber brought in from the region of the 

 Great Lakes at a low rate of transportation, and also to 

 the inadequate methods of combating forest tires. These 

 conditions tended to gradually dampen the enthusiasm of 

 the forest planter. 



Some of the plantations still remain. Despite the fact 

 that they have received little or no treatment and, with 

 one or two exceptions, have not been thinned, they have 

 reached maturitv, and stand as a rcord for the present 

 generation of what the results of reforestation will be. 



During the winter of 191-1 the writer made and inves- 

 tigation of these old stands in connection with his work 

 in the State Department of Forestry. Something as to 

 the history of the plantations was learned from the 

 owners, and then the\' were measured, either as entire 





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will II-, PINH PLANIAIIU-N Al K 1 , i lUiiO'l 1 i, M ASSACll L Si; 1 1>— i:\ I I, U K IK \ W.W 



This plantation is fifty-five years old. Pasture trees were used, being planted about eight to ten feet. Careful measurement showed that there 

 are m this tract about 43.r»no board feet to the acre. The rej^mlarity of the growth is due to the great care originally exercised in lining 

 up the rows. 



