SYLVICULTURE. 



seedlings one and two years old are planted. The use of saplings, 

 transplanted repeatedly, is not advisable. Cleft planting of seed- 

 lings on broomsedge fields at Biltmore proves unsuccessful; the 

 weeds choking and the rabbits eating the seedlings. Cleft planting 

 tn cutover woodlands, however, on fairly loose soil is a method 

 to be strongly endorsed. In France the clefts are made inclined, 

 not vertical; saplings 20 years old do not show any crooks due to 

 the method. Planting of seedlings or of young transplants in 

 spade holes, in furrows or in clefts made between the lid and 

 the pit formed by reversed sods prove successful at Biltmore. 

 Young plants are not subject to lifting by frost nor do they suffer 

 from drought. The nursery should not be worked deeper than 

 one foot while the success of the final plantation largely depends 

 on looseness of ground at a greater depth. Generally Red Oak is 

 more vigorous in early youth than White Oak. At Biltmore, 

 Chestnut Oak is the best species for abandoned fields. 



Chestnut: Soil well worked to a depth of. sixteen inches, kalium 

 a necessity, lime disastrous. Seedling planting (plants one or two 

 years oldj forms the rule; planting of stumps is also good. 



Since Chestnut is very sensitive under changed conditions of 

 growth, ball planting is probably the best method. Seeds are kept 

 in the burrs over winter, or in layers alternating with layers of 

 dry sand. Immediate fall planting, however, is best. Nuts are 

 planted in drills two inches deep two inches apart, the drills six 

 to twelve inches apart. At Biltmore planting of seedlings has met 

 with continuous failure. Planting under cover or under an usher 

 growth is probably advisable. Chestnut is exacting, needing atmos- 

 pheric as well as soil moisture. 



Tree Alder: It is usually planted as a transplant three to five 

 years old. Yearlings are too small; seedlings two years old can 

 be ball planted. Trimming allowed. Seeds planted broadcast on 

 the beds, one-fourth inch of dirt on top. Sprinkling necessary. No 

 protection against atmosphere needed. On swampy ground, fall 

 planting of transplants is best. 



Birch: Seeds very poor; those of Black Birch mature in sum- 

 mer. Seeds must be covered very slightly or, better perhaps, must 

 be beaten with a shovel into the nursery soil after broadcasting. 

 Formation of crust over seeds is best prevented by a cover of 

 Pine branches. Under lath screens, stems are apt to damp off in 

 June. Seedlings are planted either as two year olds, with or 

 without balls, or as transplanted stumps three to five years old. 



