FIELD PLANTING. 37 



lings, because some moisture is available, even after other sites have 

 become dry. 



(2) The south slope is the warmest of the sites, because it receives 

 the direct rays of the sun. The soil is usually a loose sand, very 

 insecurely held by vegetation. The snow drifts to these slopes more 

 than to any others, so that moisture conditions are good in the 

 spring. Jack pine grows well here, because it starts earliest in the 

 spring and is able to get established before the moisture is dissipated. 



(3) The bottom type has the heaviest soil and bears the heaviest 

 vegetation, so that, although it collects some moisture from the 

 slopes, this is soon lost unless the vegetative growth can be checked. 

 Yellow pine succeeds well if planted in wide, shallow furrows. The 

 problem of obtaining success here without too great expense in the 

 preparation of the ground is one of the most difficult yet to be solved. 

 On the whole, the reason for planting yellow pine rather than any 

 other species is that the tree, if it succeeds at all, is capable of making 

 the best use of the fertile soil and can stand the heat. If Austrian 

 pine should be planted at all, this is the best site. Of the hardwoods, 

 green ash would doubtless succeed if it could be kept free from 

 borers. 



(4) The north-slope type is cool and moist, but usually carries a 

 heavy cover of grasses and shrubs, and, not infrequently, belts of sand- 

 hill willows where there is an imperceptible seepage from the soil. This 

 site presents the least difficulty in planting. Almost any species is 

 assured of a favorable start, and here yellow pine makes its most 

 rapid growth. However, frost leaves the ground late, and since the 

 soil is constantly cool it has been thought that a species demanding 

 less heat might outstrip the yellow pine. Scotch pine, because of 

 its northerly origin and known adaptability to coolness and moisture, 

 has been chosen for this site. Its height growth in the past three 

 years has considerably exceeded that of yellow pine. Norway pine, 

 with characteristics similar to those of Scotch pine, has not been 

 thoroughly tried on north slopes, but from present indications will 

 have a place there if it can be successfully grown in the nursery. 



Generally speaking, however, these distinctions as to site are mat- 

 ters of convenience rather than of necessity. Except that jack pine 

 is by far the best tree for south slopes and that Scotch pine has suc- 

 ceeded only on north slopes, it should be understood that the species 

 may be planted where it is most convenient. 



SPECIES FOR THE KANSAS SAND HILLS. 



The conclusions as to the adaptability of various species to the 

 Kansas sand hills are not as definite as those for Nebraska. In the 

 first place, the planting there has been in progress for a much shorter 

 time. 



