DEVELOPING FOOD AND SHELTER BY PLANTING 



659 



seed beds prepared in a manner similar to that for herbaceous cover. None of the shrubs 

 that are of particular use to the grouse are among those that can be established with assur- 

 ance. 



Conifer Plantings 



Most of the conifers are adapted to growing in soils that are acid and low in fertility. 

 Like most plants, however, they will do better in more fertile soils. Therefore, since the 

 hardwood trees and shrubs are more demanding in this regard, it is a good plan to depend 



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MOST HARr)WOOD TREES AND SHRUBS RESPOND BEST WHEN PLANTED DIRECTLY INTO NEWLY 



PLOWED FURROWS 



upon the c-onifers for revegetating ihe poorer sites. One nmst not expect the most vigorous 

 growth under these conditions. 



The species of conifers best suited for winter shelter are hemlock, white pine, red spruce, 

 white spruce, black spruce, Norway spruce, red })ine, and northern white cedar. It is unfor- 

 tunate that hemlock is difficult to produce in nurseries for reforestation use and is not de- 

 ])endable in field plantations. Under most circumstances, the wildlife manager will depend 

 upon the red. white and Norway spruce, white and red pines and northern white cedar, for the 

 greater portion of his winter cover. Another desirable conifer in the mixture is European 

 larch. While not an evergreen, this tree provides a necessary element in the winter shelter 

 composition bv developing a useful herbaceous ground cover, often lacking with many other 

 conifers. 



If other species of pines, spruces or firs are available and \ aluable for their wood products, 

 they may be included in the mixture. In all plantings for winter shelter, it is advantageous to 



