The sapwood, which forms the greater part of the second-growth 

 trees less than 14 inches in diameter, is lighter in color, is not durable 

 on exposure to the weather, and is prone to warp and check. The 

 wood of trees in plantations will be similar to that of the old-field 

 second-growth trees, which is more knotty and coarser grained than 

 that of original growth, but its quality will be greatly affected by the 

 care which is given the plantation. Well-stocked stands which are 

 regularly thinned will produce clearer wood than neglected stands. 



The better grades of shortleaf pine lumber are used extensively for 

 building material of all kinds, and in the region of its grow r th it is 

 used in preference to the wood of other species. The poorer grades 

 and sapwood are principally used for low-grade lumber, box boards, 

 slack cooperage, ties, fuel, and similar uses. 



PLANTATIONS. 



The growth of the seedlings is rapid and the young plants are so 

 hardy and vigorous that plantations can be started by direct seeding, 

 instead of by transplanting, as is necessary with slower growing trees. 



If the land to be planted is cleared, shallow furrows can be laid 

 off 5 feet apart, and seed planted at intervals of 5 feet in the furrow. 

 If the land has merely been logged over or has many sprouts and 

 shrubs on it which would interfere with plowing, the soil should be 

 loosened with a mattock in spots 8 or 10 inches square and 5 feet 

 apart, and the seed planted in these spots. There are about 50,000 

 seed to a pound, but the percentage of sound seed seldom exceeds 20. 

 Not less than 10 or 15 seeds should, therefore, be dropped into each 

 hole; the covering of earth should not be deeper than one-half inch. 

 To prevent squirrels, mice, and birds from eating the seed, it should 

 be coated with a thick mixture of red lead and water. No cultivation 

 is necessary. 



Plantations can also be established by means of seedlings. Two- 

 year-old plants, either seedlings or one-year-old transplants, which 

 are stouter, should be used. They should be from 5 to 8 inches high. 

 The seedbed for growing seedlings should be made in fertile, well- 

 drained soil, and the seed planted in the autumn or early spring, 

 thinly scattered in drills about 6 inches apart. One pound of seed 

 should be sufficient for 400 feet of drill. If the seed is planted in the 

 autumn the seedbed should be protected from mice and birds; if 

 planting is delayed until spring some of the seed may lie over for a 

 year without germinating. The cost of raising two-year-old seedlings 

 in large numbers should not be more than $2.50 a thousand ; of trans- 

 plants of the same age $4.50 a thousand. The seedbeds should be 

 lightly shaded during the first summer. Seedlings are not subject 

 to damping off. 



[Cir. 182] 



