1913-14 DEPAETMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 



101 



delicate plant, as sliown in Figs. XII and XIII. At one year of age it is only about 

 two inches high with a delicate tissue. During this first season the young plant 

 is subject to injury by parasitic diseases and sun scorch, and is subject to attack 

 by birds. When two years old the seedling is only three to five inches high. Light 

 ground fires, which apparently do little damage, destroy countless numbers of 

 these small plants. For the first three years the growth of the seedling is very 

 slow and it is subject to many enemies. It will readily be seen that under the 

 most favorable conditions only a small percentage of the seed falling to the ground 

 ever produces young pine large enough to be seen by the casual observer. 



Another factor influencing the chance of obtaining reproduction of White Pine 

 is the question of the vitality of seed. Pine seed under the most favorable condi- 



Flg. XI. Showing White Pine cones. Mature two-year-old cones below and small 

 one-year-old cones at tip of branch. 



tions of artificial storage, soon loses its power to germinate and grow. Pine seed 

 lying, under natural conditions, where it is subject to various changes of moisture 

 and temperature would not be likely to grow after five years. 



Some of the outstanding features in the life of the White Birch will do to 

 show the ability of this class of trees to reproduce. The Birch produces its seed in 

 a cone-like fruit, which often remains on the tree throughout the early part of the 

 winter. Unlike the White Pine the seed does not all fall to the ground in early 

 autumn, but gradually falls throug-liout the winter months. It is a common sight 

 to see the small, winged seed of the birch being carried for miles on the surface of 

 the snow. This is one factor explaining the prevalence of Birch on burned and 

 cut over areas. 



