50 



A PRIMER OF FORESTRY. 



later stages of their lives. Even under the best condi- 

 tions a considerable part of the fallen seed may never 

 germinate, but in this case we will assume that half of it 

 succeeds. (See tig'. 40.) 



As each seed of our forest germinates and pushes its 

 first slender rootlet downward into the earth, it has a 

 very uncertain hold on life. Even for some time after- 



FiG. 47.— Seedlings of White Pine under a spreading Scrub Oak. Miltord, Pa. 

 The young Pines are overshaded by the worthless Oak, and will die unless 

 the latter is cut away. 



wards the danger from frost, dryness, and excessive 

 moisture is very serious indeed, and there are many 

 other foes by which the young seedlings may be over- 

 come. It sometimes happens that great numbers of 

 them perish in their earliest youth because their roots 

 can uot reach the soil through the thick dry coating of 

 dead leaves which covers it. But our young trees pass 

 through the beginning of these dangers with compara- 



