FOREST SERVICE. 511 



an entire failure. Direct seeding secured a fair stand in States like 

 Washington and Oregon and in the Black Hills of South Dakota, 

 where the climatic and soil conditions were on the whole favorable 

 to tree growth. 



Generally speaking, planting has so far yielded better results than 

 seeding, especially on unfavorable sites, but planting experiments 

 have been conducted for a longer period. From the standpoint of 

 results, planting has been cheaper than seeding in many instances, 

 although the initial cost of seeding is considerably less. Because of 

 the smaller initial cost of seeding and the possibility of developing 

 successful methods on favorable sites, a large amount of additional 

 work in seeding under such conditions is justified. 



Failures in reforestation were inevitable at the beginning. With- 

 out precedents, with a range of conditions varying from humid to 

 arid, it was only through wide experimentation that methods could 

 be developed which would secure results. In the light of the experi- 

 ence gained during the last few years, it is evident that additional 

 progress along this line will be made only by careful, intensive 

 methods which will mean, in case of direct seeding, preparation of 

 the ground and getting rid of seed-destroying animals, and in case 

 of planting, raising larger stock of sufficiently good root development 

 to withstand trying climatic conditions. The lesson so far taught is 

 that reforestation in the West, in order to be successful, must over- 

 come many climatic and biological difficulties, which means intensive 

 and expensive work. In general, the results of the past year have been 

 the most encouraging since the work was begun, and indicate not only 

 that planting is now a safe imdcrtaking under favorable conditions, 

 but that it is or can undoubtedly be made so under unfavorable con- 

 ditions. It is hoped that still more successful methods of seeding for 

 favorable conditions at least can be developed; continued eiforts are 

 certainly worth while. In both planting and seeding better results 

 can in the future undoubtedly be secured at less than present costs. 



Free distribution of planting stock, — The agricultural appropri- 

 ation act of March 4, 1911, provided for the free distribution of young 

 trees from the Ilalsey Nursery, Nebraska National Forest, to settlers 

 within the Kinkaid district. 



Last year not more than 50,000 trees were readv for distribution. 

 It is expected that 100.000 trees will be available" in 1913. In 1914 

 and thereafter about 400,000 trees can be distributed annually. Not 

 until 1914, therefore, can the free distribution to settlers be made on 

 as large a scale as is desirable. Ninety trees were given to each 

 applicant last year. It is hoped that in 1913 this number can be 

 increased to 250. 



A conservative estimate of the cost of 3-year-old trees is $5 per 

 thousand; of maintenance of the buildings and other equipment and 

 of office charges, 50 cents per thousand ; of preparing trees for ship- 

 ment in small lots such as will be sent to individual settlers. $2 per 

 thousand; making a total estimated cost of $7.50 per thousand. 



At this rate the cost to the Government of the free distribution of 

 planting stock to the settlers in Nebraska this year will be about 

 $375. In 1914 a distribution of 400,000 plants will cost $3,000, 



The species to be grown in the nursery are chiefly western yellow 

 pine, jack pine, and Norway pine, which are likely to give the best 

 satisfaction in the sandy region of the Kinkaid district. 



