ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood is somewhat like white pine, though a little heavier, 

 harder, and stronger. It is only moderately durable. It is distinctly 

 valuable for all kinds of house lumber, and when chemically treated 

 makes good posts and ties. In most of its qualities it compares with 

 the shortleaf pine of the South, and with western yellow pine. 



PROPAGATION. 



Red pine grows only from seed. While the trees do not produce 

 large quantities of seed, and seed years occur at intervals of from 

 two to four years, there is usually a sufficient natural reproduction 

 wherever there are old trees. 



The seeds ripen in the fall of the second year after the flowers 

 appear and may then be gathered and kept over winter in any cool, 

 dry place. 



The seeds should be planted in the spring in well-prepared beds, 

 either in drills about 5 inches apart extending across the beds, or 

 broadcast, and covered lightly with earth well pulverized and pressed 

 down firmly. When the seedlings are 2 years old they may be 

 transplanted to nursery rows, or set in their permanent places in the 

 plantation. 



It is desirable to keep the nursery beds moderately moist, for if too 

 dry the plants will either die or send their roots so deep in search of 

 water that they will be difficult to transplant. 



One pound of seed contains about 75,000 grains, and, under average 

 conditions, will plant about 400 linear feet in drills, or 100 square feet 

 broadcast. 



The young seedling develops a strong taproot, but later produces 

 several stout laterals which firmly anchor the mature tree, unless the 

 soil be very shallow. 



PLANTING. 



For planting red pine it is best to use seedlings 2 or 3 years old 

 which have been raised in nursery beds. 



The young trees should be set out in the spring, late in April or 

 early in May. They may be planted in furrows or in holes made 

 with a spade, mattock, or planting bar. As a rule, the proper spac- 

 ing is 4 feet each way, although this will vary in different localities. 



It is usually advisable to plant red pine pure, though on good soil 

 sugar maple, beech, or elm might be mixed with it. Any associate 

 must be of slower growth than the fed pine, or the latter will be over- 

 topped and suppressed. Mixture with white pine has generally 

 proved satisfactory. 



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