COLLECTION OF SEED. 17 



scales with a sharp knife in the direction of the apex of the cone. As 

 long as the seed is soft and milky it is immature. When the squirrels 

 begin to cut off cones for storing collecting should begin at once. 

 For most species the period for collecting the cones is short if they 

 are taken directly from the trees. Hard frosts, followed by warm 

 days, hasten the ripening and opening of cones, and when once begun, 

 collection should be prosecuted with all possible haste. 



There are three methods of collecting cones from felled trees, 

 from standing trees, and from squirrel hoards. Where logging is 

 going on it is often possible to pick the cones from the felled trees 

 and from the ground after the brush is piled. This is a very eco- 

 nomical method for some of the hard-coned species, provided the log- 

 o-ing operations are extensive and a large number of trees are felled 

 each day. In collecting from standing trees it may or may not be 

 necessary to climb. Cones can often be stripped from short-limbed 

 trees by cone hooks fastened to poles, or can even be picked off by 

 hand. When climbing is necessary the cones are stripped or picked 

 off by hand or by means of short hooks. It is best to begin work at 

 the top of the tree, since then the cones can more easily be seen. 

 Occasionally it is advisable to cut down heavily fruited trees, but 

 this should be done only when the tree itself can be utilized. 



Squirrels' caches are often excellent places from which to get 

 cones. Pine squirrels collect and store large quantities, while chip- 

 munks, and even mice, lay by stores. These rodents do not put by 

 seed for the winter only, but continue to collect as long as the sup- 

 ply lasts and the weather permits. In consequence, they frequently 

 lay by quantities out of proportion to their need. The small red 

 squirrels are the greatest collectors of all, and it is not uncommon 

 to find in a single one of their caches from 8 to 12 bushels of good 

 cones, though the average quantity is about 2 bushels. These caches 

 are located by old rotten logs, in springy places and muck, and in 

 duff, sometimes "at a considerable depth, as well as under bushes and 

 felled tree tops, along streams, and beneath overhanging stream 

 banks. Their presence is evidenced by heaps of cone scales and 

 chips where the squirrels have been feeding. Sometimes the caches 

 are carefully covered with leaves and humus, making it difficult to 

 locate them, though the squirrels' well-beaten trails often guide the 

 collector. The squirrels do not confine their collecting to a few 

 species, but appear to relish a large number. Among the species of 

 cones which are often obtained from caches are Douglas fir, Engel- 

 mann spruce, western yellow pine, lodgepole pine, and western white 

 pine. Usually, however, the cones of but one species are found in 

 a single cache. In collecting from squirrels' hoards it is well to 

 have a pack horse along for immediate transportation, since if 

 cones are dug out and left on the ground for any length of time 



