FURROW PLANTING UPON SAND PIvAINS OF MICHIGAN 919 



5. The trees planted at a lower level than surrounding soil cover are 

 better able to withstand a period of drought. 



6. The furrows can be plowed at any slack time and remain un- 

 planted for two years, since little growth of vegetation enters the fur- 

 row and no erosion occurs in this flat region. The plantations have 

 shown no advantage either with fall or spring planting, except that 

 some heaving of late fall-planted small i-o stock sometimes results. 



7. The addition of furrows over the plantations serves as additional 

 fire guard for ground fires for several years. 



RFSUI.TS 



Reforestation in planting by the use of planting bars in furrows has 

 proved very satisfactory under ordinary weather conditions. An ex- 

 ceedingly dry summer season may occasion a heavy loss, but this is 

 never due to the fault of the method, since the loss has proved greater 

 under these conditions when other methods have been followed. The 

 Federal policy of spacing 8 by 8 feet is believed worthy of continuation, 

 since the small amount of loss does not necessitate replanting, and the 

 Norway pine will be sufficiently close together to clean well, as deter- 

 mined by the appearance of young, middle-aged, and mature timber 

 now found upon the plains regions. A survival of from 87 to 96 per 

 cent, using 2-0 stock, is usually the average figure obtained in furrows. 

 The several Norway plantations for the Michigan National Forest 

 average 92.6 per cent after 3 years. A loss of but from i to 3 per cent 

 is not uncommon during the first year if good stock is used in the plant- 

 ing operations, even though some dry periods of from 3 to 5 weeks may 

 occur and in which the soil appears entirely dry to the touch. Norway 

 j)ine exhibits a remarkable ability to live through drought, as has been 

 repeatedly shown where the soil appears dry even to a depth of 4 feet. 

 This is explained by the soil, which is of sand and in which practically 

 all the moisture i)resent is available to the plant. The tree can with- 

 stand drought in this soil under these conditions, but would (juickly die 

 in a loam or clay soil. 



