DEVELOPING FOOD AND SHELTER BY PLANTING 657 



already been discussed under the section on altering the existing cover, wherein the making 

 of openings and clearings is described. These may be used for interplantings and estab- 

 lishing herbaceous cover types. 



Securing and Caring for Plaiiliiig Slocli 



Planting stock for extensive revegetation work must, necessarily, be rather low in price 

 in order to make the operation economically feasible. At the present time, state and federal 

 nurseries produce a good many of the species recommended for the different types of plant- 

 ings and make them available to the public, in various ways, at a reasonable cost. The i)ro- 

 duction of state nurseries is predoniinanth of coniferous species, thus making available the 

 material for the greatest portion of ])lantation work. 



It is often possible to obtain suitable planting stock from pri\ate nurseries. Material known 

 as "lining-out stock" in commercial inirscries is often purchasable at a reasonable cost. Gen- 

 erally speaking, a desirable hardwood seedling of one or two years nurser\ growth is from 

 six to fifteen inches high and uilh a root s\stem nearly as large. 



Care in selection of conifer stock for use in interior plantings is very important. The stock 

 should be large and thrifl\. For the species recommended, a four-year old nursery grown 

 plant is usually best. Foresters call them "2-2 |)lants" to indicate that they have been grown 

 in a seed bed two years and in a traii>|ilaiit bed an additional two years. 



Planting stock should be carried in a pail parlh filled with water so that the roots are 

 not permitted to dry out. Portions of il that can not he ])lacc(l in the ground innncdiately 

 upon removal from the nurscr>. should In' liccicd-in in a damp, shady, well-drained spot. 

 To do this, a trench is dug deep enough to accommodate the root s\stems. about a foot wide 

 and long enough to take care of the tnalerial at hand. The bundles of seedlings are loos- 

 ened and laid with the roots in the trench and covered firmly with soil. The plants are kept 

 moist by wetting and covering with burlap. 'Hicn shduld lie removed from the heel-in beil 

 only as needed for immediate planting. 



Some wildlife managers may wish to inopagale their own seedlings. This is an immense 

 subject by itself which eamiol be covered here. There are numerous texts on the subject 

 and a wealth of experience, in both public and jirivate nurseries, is available. Most of the 

 information from these sources, at least in so far as it concerns reforestation use, is con- 

 fined Id the conifers and a \ery few hardwood trees. 



For those who desire to propagate |)lants for grouse habitat. particularl\ the shrubs and 

 hardwood trees, the specific data needed is summarized in table 186*. Most of this material 

 was recorded through the courtes\ of th(> Soil Conservation Service and with the assistance 

 of Robert B. Thornton, formerly Cliief of the Nursery Division of the Northeast Region. 



I'hiiiling Methods 



In placing seedlings in the ground, considerable care should be taken in order to assure good 

 sui-vival and growth. In most soils, the best planting method is that known as the center hole 

 technique. Uy using a mattock or other similar tool, at least a square foot of the sod cover 

 is removed and a hole dug in the middle of this "scalp" deep enough and wide enough to 

 accommodate the seedling without cramping its roots. The seedling is held in the center of 

 the hole with the root collar at the ground line level and the soil is then placed firndy around 

 the root and tamjied down at the to|). usually with the foot. 



* Set' Apppntlix. p. 883. 



