356 The Riiffed Grouse 



roads kept well brushed out will serve this need. Clover will often 

 come into these roadways naturally as a result of the horse manure 

 dropped during wood harvest operations. It then needs only con- 

 tinued sunlight to thrive and provide grouse with a source of 

 succulent green food. 



PROPAGATION OF WOODY PLANTS FOR PLANTATIONS ^ 



Seedlings growoa in a nurser)^ are generally most suitable for 

 woody plantings. The problems of growing the trees and shrubs 

 for field use are many and can be discussed only briefly here. In the 

 following subheadings the essential steps in growing seedlings for 

 field use are summarized. Propagation information for trees and 

 shi-ubs recommended for plantings for grouse cover in the Northeast 

 are given in Table 12. It will be noted that with a single exception 

 (Norway spruce), all the species listed are natives. It is generally 

 best to use indigenous plants, although there are a few instances 

 where exotics may better serve the purpose. 



Procuring the Seed. The first problem is obtaining good quality 

 seed. It is generally wise to gather the seed as near as possible to 

 the nursery or, if it is to be planted elsewhere, in the same climatic 

 zone where it will be used. Botli altitude and latitude of the seed 

 source should be as close as possible to that where the plants must 

 live. Only thrifty specimens should be utilized as sources of seed 

 as the character of the mother plant often has a marked influence on 

 the development of the transplants. 



If the collection of seed from wild plants is not feasible, it may 

 be possible to purchase it through commercial seed dealers. In this 

 transaction it is well to state carefully the desired specifications as 

 to seed source and germination percentage. 



The most difficult seed collection problems arise with the larger 

 trees, especially the pines, spruces, and maples. The seed should be 

 picked from the tree, often requiring a difficult climb. The opera- 

 tion should begin as soon as the seed is ripe in order to avoid losses 

 from shattering, or from animal feeding. Periodic inspection of the 



^ This sectiun was written by Robert Thornton, formerly Regional Nurseryman, 

 U. S. Soil Couservatiou Service. 



