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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



burning of the materials on tlie surface of the soil. Among these may be enumerated 

 nearly all of the broad-leaved trees and shrubs. Again, it is not common to find an 

 area of much size that does not have left standing some one or more old trees with 

 tops still living that were unworthy the attention of lumbermen because of de- 

 fects. These trees bear seeds every other year, or less frequently, which the kind 

 breezes, the birds or squirrels give free transportation for long distances. Consider- 

 ing the assistance that Nature, unmolested, is ready to bring, my task of telling 

 how to reforest stump lands of Michigan is not as formidable an undertaking as 

 might first appear. 



But Nature does her work slowly and often imperfectly. Quicker returns can 

 be made by assisting Nature. Besides keeping out the fire and grazing animals, 

 man can assist Nature by planting four small, desirable trees to nearly every square 

 rod, thus restocking the ground evenly. 



In undertaking tlie proper management of stump lands numerous problems con- 

 front us: 

 1. What kinds of trees shall we plant; shall they be native or foreigners? 

 How many shall we plant to the acre? 

 What preparations shall we give the land? 



How shall we care for the trees, from seedlings to maturity? 

 How shall we plant to best auvantage, and at what season of the year? 

 How large shall the trees be when planted, or shall we rely on sowing and 

 planting seeds? 



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