78 FIKST BOOK OF FORESTRY 



and much used in the pineries of North Germany, and in the 

 spruce forests of Saxony and other districts. In our own 

 country this method has not yet been used systematically 

 in the care of forests, but many thousands of acres of 

 what was formerly forest lands and large areas of prairie 

 land have been planted and converted into useful forests. 



The method is the simplest ; the logging can be done at 

 any time, in the cheapest manner, and the reproduction or 

 starting of a new growth is simple and satisfactory. 



With the natural seeding under seed trees or in clear 

 strips one spot has thousands of seedlings on a few square 

 rods, so that not one plant in a hundred can possibly live ; 

 and the next spot is left without any growth and must 

 either be left idle or be replanted. All this is avoided by 

 planting, for if done well it is usually successful, and the 

 plants are sufficient in number and yet do not crowd each 

 other. They therefore grow fast and symmetrically, with 

 good healthy crowns, and the sticks are not so slender as 

 if grown in dense thickets. 



Since this method requires a large number of plants, 

 we shall have to learn something about tree seeds, where 

 and how to get them, how to raise plants, and how to 

 plant them. 



Nursery and Planting. The seeds of most of our forest 

 trees are still so high in price at seed stores that it is 

 well to collect them whenever possible. Thus, the seed of 

 our pines, spruces, and cedars costs from two dollars to 



