Forestry in Russia 573 



many of the young seedlings were dying from frost killing, while 

 the thermometer readings at the usual height gave temperatures 

 slightly higher than freezing. However, when the thermometers 

 were placed on a level with the tops of the seedlings instead of 

 at the usual height it was found that the temperature was several 

 degrees lower than freezing. 



Planting and Seeding. There is in the Russian Department 

 of Forestry a branch of planting for work after fellings have 

 been made and another branch for planting on difficult treeless 

 sites. This latter work has been highly successful. Both of 

 these branches are entirely separate from the main division of 

 planting. 



The first White pine plantation was established over one hun- 

 dred years ago by Mr. Shatillow on his estate "Mochowje" at 

 Novosilin in the State of Tula, Central Russia. 



On favorable sites 85% is a good average of living seedlings 

 in a plantation; and on very poor and exposed sites 20% is 

 considered excellent. Ball planting is practised on the most diffi- 

 cult sites, for in such places this method is considered cheapest 

 in the long run. 



When conifers are planted the stock used is nearly always 

 2-years transplants. 



Planting on the steppes has proven very successful until the 

 trees are in their thirtieth or fortieth year ; then the trees begin 

 to die at the tops, and finally the whole tree dies. The soil is 

 very rich and well adapted to agriculture, but investigations show 

 there is too much NaaCOg and Na2S04 for trees. It is considered 

 by Professor Kravkofif that there is a deficiency of NjOg and 

 P2O5 in the soil. The salts CaS04 and CaCOg are present 

 in considerable quantities, but are considered indifferent. 



Recently it has come to be a rather general opinion among 

 Foresters that a better root system is obtained from direct seed- 

 ing than from planting. The seed spot method is used to a 

 great extent, but considerably larger spots are made than is the 

 practice in this country. The soil is cultivated before broadcast 

 sowing and it is a common practice to rent the land to the peasants 

 for agricultural purposes for a few years before sowing the seed 

 for forest trees. 



Cost of Planting, Eastern and Central Russia. The cost of; 



