PRIVATE PLANTING IN PENNSYLVANIA 



By N. R. McNaughton 



In Charge of Bureau of Silviculture, Pennsylvania Department of 



Forestry 



Forestry has come to stay in Pennsylvania. The best evidence of 

 the truth of this assertion is contained in the table on the next page. 



In studying these figures it should be remembered that the number 

 planted of each species cannot always be accepted as an index of the 

 planters" wishes. The Department may dispose of seedlings to private 

 planters only when the stock in its nurseries is in excess of the needs 

 of the State forests. This accounts for the fact that 50 per cent of the 

 seedlings were white pine, for the Pennsylvania nurseries have had an 

 excess of white pine for several years past. It is interesting to note that 

 since the blister-rust scare of 1916 the number of white pine shows a 

 steady decrease, although the total number planted shows a decided 

 increase. The species used in smaller numbers, such as the larches, red 

 pine, and the hardwoods, are seldom available for distribution except 

 in limited quantities. 



From 1910 to 191 5, inclusive, the seedlings were sold at the cost of 

 production. After 1915 no charge was made for the seedlings, and 

 applicants were asked to pay only the cost of packing and shipping. 

 This fact accounts for the large increase in planting during and after 

 1916. 



That the public is definitely enlisted in this work is best shown by the 

 figures for 1918. In spite of serious labor shortage .and press of other 

 work, the figures show a substantial increase over 191 7, when better 

 and cheaper labor was available. The total number of applicants for 

 seedlings in 1918 was about 600. The largest single application was 

 from a water company for 170,000 seedlings. The second largest appli- 

 cation was from the city of Altoona for use on the municipal water- 

 shed. One other city, several boroughs, a dozen water companies, a 

 steel company, and several coal companies were among the applicants. 

 The minimum number granted to an applicant was 500, and the average 

 application called for about 3,600. 



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