8 FOREST PLANTING. 



NO QUICK RICHES. 



Intending forest planters are reminded that an investment in 

 forestry will yield returns in proportion to the skill and wisdom 

 that underlie it; that the income from a plantation may equal 

 from four to eight per cent., compound interest, yet can rarely 

 be more because there is a limit to the rate at which trees grow. 

 Sure, steady, moderate returns, rather than quick riches are al- 

 ways the foresters aim. See p. 25. 



CLIMATE AND SOILS. 



The climate of New Jersey is everywhere suitable for many 

 kinds of trees, and highly favorable to some. No part is too 

 hot, too cold, or too dry to produce vigorous trees. 



Its soils, on the contrary, are very diverse, and make neces- 

 sary a careful adaptation of species to local conditions. No 

 part of the upland, except the beaches and about 25,000 acres 

 on " The Plains," is incapable of supporting a forest of some 

 kind. Even the sandy soils of the pine section are less sterile 

 than is commonly supposed. Solely for the guidance of tree 

 planters the soils of the State may be divided into six classes. 

 See p. 14. 



WHAT TO PLANT. 



When a forest is founded by Nature one wisely uses what he 

 finds ; when a forest is to be planted the aim should be to choose 

 the best for given conditions. 



Pure or mixed forests? Many foresters advocate mixed plant- 

 ings (two or more species) upon the ground that that is Na- 

 ture's way, that one species helps another, that insects and dis- 

 ease do less harm than in pure (one species) forests. All these 

 arguments have weight, yet most authorities now favor com- 

 paratively small groups of a single species, each group repre- 

 senting the fittest tree when climate, soil, markets and all other 

 factors are considered. Under this rule pure forests of several 

 hundred acres may be established. For these reasons, and be- 

 cause it is hard to determine the character and proportions of a 

 mixed forest without a careful study of local conditions, only 

 pure forest plantations are here considered. 



