FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



February 



hollow, on a distinctly eastern exposure 

 and the steepest slope within the planta- 

 tion. The poorest trees are found near 

 the southeast end of the plantation, on 

 a northwest exposure. The former trees 

 are at least six feet taller on the average 



of making a successful growth if planted 

 alone. 



FOREST CONDITIONS. 



The Jack Pines have proven tneir 

 idaptation to conditions in the sand 



The soil is the characteristic whitish 

 yellow sand of the sand-hill country. 

 The particles are rather smaller than 

 have proven their those composing the hills further west, 



results from the tendency 

 of the lighter particles to 

 ext end the hills to the 

 southeast, when driven by 

 the prevailing northwest 

 winds. 



An examination of the 

 plantation reveals the begin- 

 ning of genuine forest con- 

 ditions. No humus appears 

 as yet, but the dense shade 

 has almost killed outthe grass, 

 and there is a light ground 

 cover of pine needles. The 

 plantation is really a small 

 forest of poles ; the boles of 

 the trees are as well formed 

 and as straight as one would 

 wish to see. The trees have 

 begun to prune themselves, 

 and reproduction is occurring 

 to a limited extent. 



There is reason to believe 

 that reproduction has been 

 occurring for a number of 

 years, but that each winter 

 the drifting snow and sand 

 have buried the seedlings of 

 the preceding summer. At 

 least, that has been the fate 

 of many of the seedlings of 

 the past season. 



Last July all the seedlings 

 which could be found were 

 staked. December i, al- 



hills by making a remarkably thrifty though there had been but one snow, 

 growth, seldom excelled in their native and only a few days of drifting sand, 

 range. The other pines in this planta- a considerable number of the marked 

 tion have been so outstripped and sup- seedlings were found to be completely 

 pressed by the Jack Pine that it is dim- buried in the sand, which is car- 

 cult to say what development they might ried by the northwest wind fully two 

 have attained if they had been grown in rods among the trees. It is also true 



INTERIOR VIEW IN BRUNER BROTHERS' THIRTEEN- 



Y EAR-OLD PINE PLANTATION, SHOWING 



SIZE ATTAINED. 



a pure stand. The Scotch and Western 

 Yellow Pines, although much slower 

 than the Jack Pine in beginning a satis- 



that most of the seedling trees were 

 found in this loose sand, probably be- 

 cause the seed that falls on the loose 



factory growth, show some indications sand is quickly covered up, and there 



