702 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



call decisive. During the past season I have tried to get at the problem 

 by measuring the direct effect upon soil moisture rather than waiting 

 for the appearance of seedlings. My tests showed that where there 

 was a thin cover of litter, such as would result from laying a single 

 branch upon the ground, the increase in soil moisture was very slight, 

 but where there was a mat three or four inches thick there was a very 

 decided increase in moisture. 



In order to secure the advantages of a brush cover without the 

 attendant disadvantages, the brush should be placed around the seed- 

 lings after they have started. This seems impracticable under past 

 conditions, but I believe the time is coming when it might be considered 

 practical. Given a seed crop, we can usually depend upon good germi- 

 nation. If the brush is laid around groups of seedlings, there is no 

 doubt that the chances of survival will be greatly increased. Such an 

 experiment was actually carried on at Fort Valley some four or five 

 years ago. The results now show a noticeable advantage in favor of 

 the strips on which brush was scattered. 



One factor which may upset our brush-disposal policy is the insect 

 situation. Hopping has come to the conclusion that in California brush 

 affords a breeding place for injurious insects, and he seemed to be 

 strongly inclined to the opinion that the same condition exists here. It 

 seems to me that this is a problem which should be investigated. This, 

 together with our insect problems affecting seedlings, would afford a 

 good field for an entomologist. 



