338 Forestry Quarterly. 



27% of the area in the first set must from the standpoint of man- 

 agement be considered in unsatisfactory condition. And, if it is 

 considered that an unusually large amount of first class seed had 

 been used, supplemented by nature, it would be proved that natural 

 regeneration without human assistance seems excluded. 



Considering the various influences that may cause the difficulty, 

 it is stated, that, qualitatively, the seed from the old firs was alto- 

 gether without flaw, as tests and comparison with results from 

 other seed had shown, but quantitatively it appeared quite insuffi- 

 cient, since hardly 20 trees, seeding sparsely were to be found per 

 acre, as against 120 normally in stock of 100-year old stands. 



The damaging influence of game seemed to be conclusively 

 proven as a concomitant cause of failure. The favorable influence 

 of full enjoyment of light was patent (although fir is a very shade 

 enduring species), supporting the claim of Dr. Martin: "Direct 

 sunlight is always favorable to young firs. From the very day of 

 their germination it would thrive best and grow fastest in full sun- 

 light. Here, too, only the indirect consequences which light 

 brings with it are damaging, namely, in the increased growth 

 of weeds which are still more favored by the light." 



As regards the influence of soil cover and humus forms, it is 

 stated that raw humus, of more than 1 to 2-inch depth does not 

 occur in the region. The plots show that the removal of the sur- 

 face litter does not have any appreciable influence. While the re- 

 moval of the humus layer seemed numerically to be favorable, the 

 poorer development of the seedling in the soil deprived of the 

 humus leads to the conclusion that the result is in no proportion to 

 the cost of this work of soil culture. 



Altogether, while the removal of the loose surface cover was 

 effective, the treatment of the soil in the various ways in order to 

 secure a seedbed did not improve matters. On plats covered with 

 light moss and loose huckleberry growth, seedlings endured better 

 than where soil cover had been removed or soil cultivated, so that 

 with such cover its removal seems disadvantageous. Martin and 

 other authors are quoted as having before assigned to a light moss 

 cover beneficial influence on fir reproduction, especilly in dry years, 

 both for germination and water supply. 



As regards foliage litter the conclusion is reached that the re- 

 moval of old foliage of several years is an indispensable require- 



