FOREST COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. 63 



There is little danger of transplanting too often, but it is not 

 best to do so every year. The effect is the production of numerous 

 fibrous roots, and thus renders the work of final planting out per- 

 fectly safe. It is almost impossible to transplant the nut bear- 

 ing and evergreen trees directly from the forest with success, 

 owing to their lack of fibrous roots. It can only be done when the 

 trees are small, so that the whole system of roots can be removed, 

 with sod or soil attached. After being two or three times trans- 

 planted in the nursery, they may be as safely moved as a willow. 



SELECTION OF SOIL. 



Many species usually found only in low swamps can be success- 

 fully propagated and grown in high and dry situations. Our native 

 spruces (Picea nigra, Picea alba, and Abies balsamea), larch (Larix 

 Americana), and cedars, will flourish equally well and make a more 

 rapid growth on elevated land, even though it may be light, and 

 wonting in fertility 



While I would not select, as best for the purpose, a thin, starving 

 soil. 1 should not hesitate to plant trees, especially evergreens, 

 upon almost any of our sandy plains. The white pine (Pinus 

 strobus) and hemlock spruce (Tsuga Canadensis) would doubtless 

 attain greater size eventually on stronger soil ; yet it is a matter of 

 common observation, that they make a rapid growth, and seem per- 

 fectly at home on gravelly plains and ridges, so poor as to be worth- 

 less for any other purpose. For evergreen, a mellow surface, with 

 a somewhat porous sub-soil of sand or gravel will ensure a vigor- 

 ous, healthy growth. Such tracts have the additional advantage of 

 being more easily stocked with seedlings than any other. The thick 

 seeding that often occurs on the windward side of a pine growth, 

 without the aid of cultivation, must have attracted the notice of 

 the most casual observer. This should serve as a hint to every 

 owner of such waste land, as it shows how easily it may be covered 

 with a valuable forest. It is only necessary to sow the seed broad- 

 cast, and cover lightly with a smoothing harrow, to ensure gemina- 

 tion These natural nurseries often contain, on a small area, seed, 

 lings enough, if transplanted at proper distances, to cover tracts of 

 several acres. 



