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Foresters of the United States are interested in the announcement 

 reeentlj made by the American Genetic Association that two prizes 

 of $100 each have been offered for two photographs — one of the 

 largest tree of a nut-bearing variety in the United States, and one 

 of the largest broad-leaf tree which does not bear edible seeds. In 

 tlie first class, for example, are included trees such as chestnut, oak, 

 walnut, butternut, and pecan; ard in the second, trees such as elm, 

 birch, maple, cottonwood, and tulip poplar. No photographs of cone- 

 bearing trees are wanted, since it is definitely known that the Cali- 

 fornia bigtrees have no rivals among conifers. At a later time the 

 association may take up the same question as between the varior.s 

 kinds of conifers,- — as pines, spruces, fiis, cedars, and cypresses. 



The purpose of the competition, as stated by the association, is to 

 find out in what regions the native trees attain their largest growth, 

 and under what conditions they thrive best. When those large trees 

 are located in the measurements authenticated, the association hopes 

 that it may be possible to secure seeds, cuttings, or grafting wood 

 from thrifty trees in the region where they grow, to see whether finer 

 specimens may be propagated in other parts of the country. It is 

 hoped in this manner to get some particularly choice strains of native 

 tree's established in regions where good specimens are not now found. 



As much information as possible should be furnished about the 

 tree in question, and exact identification is particularly necessary. 

 The measurements of the tree nmst be given in detail. In making 

 them the only method which may be followed is to take the circumfer- 

 ence of the trunk at five feet from the ground. It is desirable that 

 the fuU height of the tree and spread of branches, as well as the 

 girth, should be stated; if they cannot be measured exactly, they 

 should be estimated. Photographs should, when possible, contain 

 some object, such as a hirnian figure, or a horse and buggy, which will 

 aid in giving a realization of the size of the tree. It is necessary that 

 the one photograph should include the whole tree. 



With each photograph, a statement should be submitted telling all 

 that is known about the tree, with reference to its age, its fertility, 

 the quality of the nuts (if it bears nuts), the character of the soil 

 and surrounding vegetation. It is particularly necessary that photog- 

 raphers should state whether there are many other very large trees of 

 the same species in the neighborhood — within a radius, say, of five 

 mUes. If the tree is on private land and likely to be destroyed, the 

 fact should be mentioned. If there are any historical or literary 

 associations connected writh it, these should also be mentioned. It will 

 be helpful if photographers can tell to what extent the tree is subject 

 to attacks by disease or insects. 



The Infltjence of Heredity 



It is assumed by the association that seed from the region where 

 the largest trees grow ought to produce larger and stronger trees than 

 from regions where only small trees are found. By finding out where 

 the large trees are and then, planting seeds from them in other 

 locations, the association hopes to demonstrate the practical value to 

 horticulture and forestry of the laws of heredity. Now that refor- 

 estation is becoming a pressing problem, the question of seed trees 

 which will produce good offspring is coming to the fore. 



Other influences, of course, will have a bearing on the subject, and 

 the results of the investigation may help to settle the question as to 

 whether trees can be acclimatized. Even if they can not be, there 

 may be cases where trees in a new environment may make better 

 growth than the best in their native range. This is said to be true of 

 certain of the Australian eucalypts and of the Monterey pine, which 

 does not amount to much in its native location in California, but has 

 proved of great value in New Zealand. 



The Forest Service has conducted some studies along this line and 

 has discovered, for example, that the Douglas fir of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains and the Douglas fir of the Pacific coast, whUe the same species, 

 have different characteristics and will produce trees like the parent 

 stock, modified somewhat, however, by environment. For example, if 

 the two forms are planted together, during the earlier period of 



life at least the Pacific coast form will make a larger and stronger 

 growth than the Rocky Mountain tree, provided it is not affected by 

 adverse local conditions. 



Several other questions, such as the climatic requirements of trees 

 grown in different localities, wUl, of course, enter into the final solu- 

 tion of the problem. It has been found in Germany, for example, that 

 the Pacific coast form of Douglas fir is not so hardy as the Rocky 

 Mountain form, which has to endure in its native habitat severe 

 extremes of temperature, and Geiman foresters have been working 

 to discover a strain of Douglas fir which will combine, as far as 

 possible, the hardiness of the Rocky Mountain form and the large size 

 of the Pacific coast form. 



Trees ajje Fastidious 



Some authorities go so far as to say that even tlie ingenuity and 

 perseverance of man are unable to induce trees to change their habits 

 far enough to adopt a country not closely like their native habitat. 



This fastidiousness in the habits Of trees has its good and its bad 

 sides, they say. It absolutely limits the forester's choice of trees to 

 grow in a given region. But, on the other hand, there is practical 

 certainty of results. If beech or spruce thrives where the average 

 warmth and moisture of the growing season from year to year ranges 

 between certain degrees, then wherever else the same average is found, 

 in the northern hemisphere at least, the forester may plant beech or 

 spruce, whether or not they are already. there, with confidence that 

 they will flourish. 



The announced purpose of the American Genetic Association is to 

 bring about the dissemination of seed or stock of the best specimens, 

 when found, to demonstrate, if possible, the value of heredity in tree 

 growing. The contest for the $100 photographs is announced to end 

 on July 1, 1915, on wliieh date the offer will tprmiuatp. 



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