The roots that are developed in the deep mud of the northern 

 swamps are very long, tough, and stringy. They were once used by 

 the Indians for withes. On drier land strong knees are sometimes 

 developed by a large root starting downward and then taking a 

 lateral direction. Such knees are of value in shipbuilding. 



No large commercial plantations of the tamarack are known to exist, 

 and its use has thus far been limited to ornamental planting. The 

 tree is well worth a trial, and plantations of the tamarack, either in 

 pure stands or, better, in mixture with other species, should prove 

 profitable in many localities. It can not be expected, however, to 

 thrive on sites where no other merchantable species will, and the 

 planting of tamarack for profit on swampy land is quite imprac- 

 ticable. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



Tamarack is reproduced by seeds. Young tamarack requires sun- 

 light, so that natural reproduction is confined chiefly to open fields 

 and the borders of swamps and marshes. If, in cutting over a 

 tamarack swamp, a few seed trees are left, the stand will usually 

 reproduce itself. . 



Nursery-grown trees are best for forest planting. When stock is 

 purchased from nurserymen the substitution of forest-pulled seed- 

 lings for those grown in the nursery should be guarded against. 



The seeds are borne annually in small upright cones which fall 

 during the second year. The seeds are about one-eighth inch long, 

 pale, winged, and are produced in abundance at intervals of from 

 two to six years. 



It is easy to grow tamarack from seed. The cones should be col- 

 lected during September, when they mature, and stored in a dry, 

 cool place until the seed is needed for planting. They should then be 

 spread in the sun until the scales open sufficiently to allow the seeds 

 to drop out. 



In raising plants of this species the general direction for the grow- 

 ing of conifers given in Bulletin No. 29 of the Bureau of Forestry 

 should be followed. The seed should be sown in the spring in care- 

 fully prepared beds and dropped so thickly in the drills that they 

 touch one another. If fresh, about 50 to 75 per cent of the seed 

 should germinate. 



The seedlings grow slowly and require partial shade during the 

 first season. At the end of one year they will be only 2 to 3 inches 

 high, but will increase in height rapidly during the second season. At 

 the age of tw r o years they may be transplanted to nursery rows or to 

 the permanent site. Since the root system of the tamarack is shallow, 

 with the form of a broad, very compact mat, the young trees are 

 easily transplanted. 



[Cir. 89] 



