15 



The sites rejected for forest planting at present on account of the 

 injurious effect of the coke smoke may be reforested as soon as the 

 adjacent coke ovens are abandoned. It was recommended that on 

 some of the sites not subjected continuously to coke smoke, but 

 doubtful in character, small test areas be planted now to determine 

 definitely the advisability of planting. 



The cost of carrying out the provisions of the Frick planting plan 

 will depend upon the cost of the trees per thousand and the efficiency 

 of the laborers under proper superintendence. Since a little over a 

 half million young trees will be required, the establishment of a nur- 

 sery by the company was advised. This generally affords a good 

 quality of stock and is convenient and economical if the owner can 

 secure a capable man to care for the nursery. The larch will require 

 two years' growth in nursery beds; the other species will be ready 

 for planting after one year's growth. For the Frick plan it was esti- 

 mated that the total outlay per acre for forest planting would be 

 approximately $10 if the seedlings were home grown. 



The first returns from planted timber on these lands may be 

 expected from the quicker growing species. The European larch may 

 be cut for mine props between the ages of 15 and 20 years. In the 

 oak and chestnut plantations moderate returns will be yielded from 

 thinnings when the trees are 20 to 25 years old, and a final crop will 

 be secured from 40 to 60 years after planting, when the forest may be 

 cut clear for lumber and mine timbers. Exact estimates of yield 

 under the conditions in western Pennsylvania are not available, since 

 no planted timber of sufficient age exists. It is, however, practically 

 assured from the history of planted stands in other States of this gen- 

 eral region that forest plantations on these sites will equal the net 

 annual income obtained from field crops on fertile agricultural soils in 

 this locality. Furthermore, these waste lands on wiiich planting is 

 recommended are not capable of yielding any valuable returns except 

 in forest. 



With a growing forest upon nonagricultural portions of the farms 

 this company will also realize returns in the increased value of such 

 lands, since each farm will be producing both annual field crops and 

 a future timber crop. 



GENERAL APPLICABILITY OF THE FRICK PLAN. 



In its specific recommendations the planting plan for the H. C. 

 Frick Coke Company is locally applicable to the Connellsville basin 

 in Pennsylvania. In the general principles governing the planting 

 this plan applies to that portion of the Appalachian coal field in east- 

 ern Ohio and west of the Allegheny ridges in Pennsylvania, since the 

 general conditions of topography and soil are similar throughout the 

 region. 



