XXX11 INTRODUCTION 



The question of the amount of annual rainfall is often not so 

 important a factor in determining the possibilities for tree growth 

 as its distribution through the year. In afforestation in this 

 country, the forester has to face the great differences between 

 the wet summer and dry winter of the prairie regions and the 

 exact reverse on the Pacific coast. He has to face the difference 

 between the cold, short summer in the high mountains and the 

 long, hot summer of the Southwest. The conditions are so varied 

 and, on the whole, so adverse to successful tree growth for forestal 

 purposes on areas long denuded that afforestation should not be 

 attempted on a large scale by either nation or state, until experi- 

 mental plantings have fully demonstrated the possibilities in each 

 locality. If due attention is paid to the management of present 

 woodlands and to reforestation where necessary, the problems of 

 afforestation will be for many years of only minor importance in 

 this country. 



Reforestation seldom, if ever, presents the difficulties that con- 

 front the forester in successful afforestation. Where trees have 

 recently grown in forest stands, they will grow again. Here the 

 chief consideration is an economic one, namely, how a desirable 

 young forest can be established at the least possible cost per acre. 

 It is this field that presents large prospects in many parts of the 

 country at the present time and which holds out assurances of 

 reasonable profit. Even here, however, the chances for serious 

 mistakes in both seeding and planting are very great. While 

 business ability and a knowledge of the subject give reasonable 

 assurance of success, the lack of these, as has been amply demon- 

 strated in the past, usually results in failure. Although the fun- 

 damental principles underlying reforestation by seeding and 

 planting are the same everywhere, local conditions so profoundly 

 affect their application that the forester must work out their 

 manner of use for each locality separately. In going into a new 

 region, the complete round of the seasons should be observed be- 

 fore an attempt is made in either seeding or planting. The 

 climate and soil should be carefully studied and the natural enemies 

 of the forest considered and appreciated. The reading of books 

 cannot take the place of personal observation and the correct in- 

 terpretation of the varied influences which bear upon the pro- 

 duction of forest crops by seeding and planting. Success in this 

 field requires local as well as general experience. From the very 



