qtiate facilities and Haphazard methods, are to be always avoided. All of 

 which makes for either high cost of production or a less dependable supply 

 of cheaper stock of inferior quality. 



Our own experience leads us to believe that the establishment of one 

 well-equipped, permanent nursery suitably located is by far the more ad- 

 visable course to pursue. Or it might perhaps be good policy in a state 

 where extremes of soil, climate and species are encountered, to effect a 

 compromise and have two permanent nurseries, one to supply the northern 

 and the other the southern half. 



After deciding upon the general location, due attention should be 

 given to the selection of the nursery site proper. There is a difference of 

 opinion as to the soil best adapted for the purpose, some even maintain- 

 ing that it should be as nearly as possible identical to that on which 

 the trees are to be ultimately set Practice, however, does not bear out 

 this theory and it is only reasonable to suppose that a healthy, vigorous 

 plant grown under the most favorable conditions will do better when 

 transplanted to a poorer site than would a less vigorous one. On the other 

 hand a plant less favored in the nursery will respond noticeably when 

 transferred to a better soil than that in which it formerly grew. After 

 all the soil to a large extent serves only as a physical supporter for the 

 trees and by supplying in the way of fertilizers the elements necessary to 

 their development good stock can be grown in any properly drained soil. 

 In this respect more attention should be given to the physical condition 

 of the soil than to the mere question of fertility, since it is easily possible 

 and entirely practicable to supply the latter whereas adverse physical 

 conditions cannot always be remedied and often only at great expense. A 

 deep, fresh, porous, sandy loam free from stones and easily worked is 

 preferable. It should have thorough and rapid natural drainage. Even an 

 extremely light sandy but well-drained soil is far safer than a heavier 

 and more fertile one affording poor or at best slow natural drainage, for 

 in any case water can be provided artificially but only a light well-drained 

 soil will itself take care of excess precipitation. Given a choice therefore 

 between the lightest possible soil provided with water and a heavy agricul- 

 tural soil the former is to be preferred. This applies more particularly to 

 nurseries devoted primarily to the production of coniferous species but 

 even in the case of broad-leaved species, which naturally affect a more 

 fertile soil and which will undoubtedly enter into reforestation in this 

 region to a considerable if not a preponderating extent, a good sandy loam 

 will suffice and will very probably be not much inferior to the best soil 

 that will ultimately go to make up the state forests. The site should be 

 level, or practically so, and so situated as to permit of an enlargement in 

 the future should occasion demand. 



An absolutely essential part of any well managed nursery is a depend- 

 able water supply. Whether it be a temporary or permanent nursery it is 

 poor policy to depend upon rainfall. One should be wholly independent of 

 this by installing a complete irrigating system that will be adequate not 

 only for the present but for all future needs. An underground system of 

 pipes through which the water is delivered to hydrants, or possibly overhead 

 sprinklers, is considered best in that it is permanent, does not interfere with 



