8 Y L V I C U L T U R E. 



rectangles. It is said, however, that the saplings form large side 

 branches and retain the same for a longer period of years. Rectangu- 

 lar plantations are known to suffer less from snowbreak. 



F. Usually it is best to make the holes for the plants before 

 planting unless, on clay soil, the holes are apt to fill with water. 

 The making of holes takes more time, in many a case, than the 

 planting itself. It should not be done during the few spring days 

 favorable to tree planting. 



G. The rangers should make all needful preparations for plant- 

 ing several days or weeks before planting, securing the seedlings, 

 " heeling them in " close to the plantation and getting the imple- 

 ments and tools in proper condition. 



Paragraph XIX. Criteria of good seedlings. 



A. The root system: 



The root system should be as compact as possible and as rich 

 in fine hair fibres as possible, qualities which are only obtained in 

 a well-fertilized nursery. It must be remembered that the small 

 hair fibres are the feeders of seedlings, and that the stronger roots 

 act merely as bones or as the skeleton giving the plant a firm 

 anchorage in the soil. 



A short exposure to sunlight and to dry winds kills the root 

 hairs. Roots cannot live in air any better than fish, though requiring 

 oxygen like fish. Tourney claims that "many successful planters 

 never set evergreens vintil the root tips show signs of growth." This 

 experience is entirely at discord with the universal European experi- 

 ence. Conifers are very sensitive against loss of root fibres. 

 Fresh tips, evidently, are most apt to be injured in handling or by 

 drought. 



The pruning of the root system is a necessary evil in the case 

 of very long tap roots. Conifers do not allow of it. Badly damaged 

 roots may be clipped with a sharp knife just above the damaged 

 point. 



