RUN-OUT LANDS 33 



4is an investment if they are converted into forests or wooded 

 tracts. There are many ways of assisting nature in getting 

 growth established here. It may be advisable sometimes to 

 plow the land if it can be easily done. Seeds start better or 

 seedlings are more easily set into plowed land. Where it will 

 answer the same results may be accomplished by plowing 

 strips or furrows a few feet apart. The objection to plowing 

 -or working the land is on account of the expense incurred, as 

 this of necessity must be low. Pasture or sod lands are more 

 ■or less stubborn to the growth of tree seeds. Seeds sown 

 broadcast in sod land seldom germinate sufficiently to give a 

 -good stand of trees. Most seeds germinate, however, if given 

 proper conditions. (See Bulletin No. 95 of the New Hamp- 

 shire Experiment Station.) 



The best way probably is to transplant young seedlings 

 wherever growth will not come in naturally. This is partic- 

 ularly true of the white pine and spruce. For deciduous or 

 broad-leafed trees, the seedling maples, elm, catalpa, locust, 

 birch, oak, ash, basswood, nuts, etc., can be similarly handled, 

 but if the ground is in suitable condition for receiving the 

 -seeds direct by either plowing, digging a hole with a grub- 

 hoe or mattock, etc., the seed may be planted direct.- The 

 deciduous or hardwood trees even if started in a nursery need 

 transplanting into permanent quarters after one year's growth, 

 -as their growth is so much more rapid in the earlier stages of 

 life. The white pine should remain in the nursery at least two 

 years and the spruce and balsam three before transplanting. 

 Where hard shelled seeds, as nuts, are to be planted di- 

 rectly where they are to grow, stratification 1 of the seeds is 

 recommended to ensure germination and protection from ene- 

 mies and heaving out over winter. 



If the land we desire to convert into tree growth borders on 

 ^a wood lot or has old trees about its boundary or within it, it 

 is desirable that these be allowed to remain. All kinds of tree 

 •or brush growth assist in shading the land, thus retaining 

 moisture and protecting the growth of seedlings. Trees like 

 the pine, scrub or otherwise, yield frequent crops of seed that 

 .are scattered broadcast and finally result in tree growth. 



a See N. H. Experiment Station Bulletin, No. 95. 



