384 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



.;'. The smaller the planting material, the less expensive and the 

 quicker and more certain the results, provided the trees are able 

 to survive the planting operation. 



k. The pruning of coniferous stock should usually be restricted 

 to cutting back the longer roots. Broadleaved species require 

 the pruning back of the longer roots and the re-forming of the 

 crown when ill-shaped. 



28. Depth of Setting the Roots and the Downward Desic- 

 cation of the Surface Soil 



The depth to which soils dry out during summer and autumn 

 droughts does not depend entirely upon climate. It is very 

 largely determined by the character of the soil and cover. Loose, 

 sandy soils on exposed sites dry out rapidly, particularly when 

 covered with a surface vegetation of grass or weeds. The roots 

 of the planted tree must reach to a greater depth than is the case 

 when planted in heavier soils or under an overwood. Partially- 

 shaded sites usually have more or less mulch over the surface soil 

 and are, as a rule, more free of surface vegetation. The soil is 

 usually loose and porous and more moisture is retained in the 

 surface layers. 1 Much smaller and shorter-rooted stock can be 

 successfully planted under partial shade than in the open. 2 The 

 chief reason why coniferous transplants succeed better than seed- 

 lings on open, dry sites is because of their stronger and larger 

 roots which reach to greater depth in the soil. 



White pine plantations in southern New England on exposed, 

 open sites having loose, sandy soil covered with grass and weeds, 

 often fail when 1- or 2-year seedlings are planted, while 3- and 

 4-year transplants are usually successful. A plantation of white 

 pine made by the author in 1905 near New Haven, Conn., on 

 loose, sandy soil on an open, exposed site covered with grass and 

 Aveeds was planted partially with 2-year seedlings and partially 

 with 3-year transplants. Less than 20 per cent of the seedlings 

 survived the first season, while the loss of transplants was less 

 than 3 per cent. Seedlings of the same species planted in the 

 same locality under an overwood gave a loss of less than 2 per 



1 Pearson, G. A.: The role of aspen in reforestation. (The Plant World, 

 vol. XVII, p. 249-260. 1914.) 



2 Kimball, G. W. and Carter, E. E.: Influence of shade and other factors 

 on plantations. (Forestry Quarterly, vol. XI, pp. 176-184. 1913.) 



