REPORT ON FORESTS. 283 



to re-establish a pine forest on entirely denuded land are easily 

 controverted by the thousands of young short-leaf-pines taking- 

 possession readily, and in dense stands of old pasture and 

 abandoned hills, and entirely without the nursing influence of 

 broad-leafed kinds. Even under the damaging influence of 

 tramping stock and invading fire, this young growth has 

 gradually advanced, and solid phalanxes of saplings and middle- 

 sized polewood now form a large part of the second-growth 

 woodlands attached to farms, together with oaks and other hard- 

 woods. There appears, therefore, to be no more useful and valu- 

 able concomitant in the future forestry of East Tennessee than 

 this willingly self-propagated short-leaf-pine." 



Now and then a beautiful seedling forest, naturally regenerated 

 from adjoining woods, may be seen in New Jersey, and, as in the 

 eastern peninsula of Virginia, if this species is favored, in the 

 course of time it will be the rule and not the exception. It is 

 not difficult, however, to secure a good stand by sowing the seed, 

 provided the seed is fresh and fertile. The easiest and cheapest 

 way is to plant the seed mixed with dirt in rows, or in narrow 

 strips, across the field, four or five feet apart.* The best way to 

 prepare this seed-bed, in case the land is not too stumpy, is to 

 run a narrow, one-horse scratch-harrow over it, and then, after 

 the seed is sown, run the harrow over the same strip again, in 

 order to cover the seed. If one man strikes out the strips with 

 the harrow, while another sows the seed, a large area can be 

 covered in a short time. Where a horse and harrow cannot be 

 used, it is best to work in the seed with a rake. Throughout 

 the south swine prepare this seed-bed. After the seed has been 

 sown, if the soil is very dry and sandy and liable to shift, the 

 strips must be covered with pine-chats and brush, on which a 

 little sand may be thrown to hold them down. As soon as the 

 young pines form a closed canopy thinning should begin, and 

 continue throughout the whole period of their life, so that the 

 trees may have sufficient space and light and yet free themselves 

 of limbs. The removal of litter and the time of cutting depend 

 entirely upon circumstances. If the owner needs the litter it is 

 proper to remove it ; if he wants poles or small pilings there is 

 nothing to hinder him from cutting his forest in the pole-stage. 



* A good stand of the short-leaf-pine has been secured by spreading the pine twigs with ripe cones 

 -attached over the land. 



