348 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



August 



ing into the mountains, sinking wells, 

 and raising water by pumping at an 

 enormous expense. The actual value 

 of property in the seven southern 

 counties of California, is over $500,- 

 000,000. If there were sufficient water 

 for all of the arable land, the wealth 

 would be increased to approximately 

 $3,250,000,000. It is to secure as far 

 as possible this great increase in 

 wealth and make it possible for 2,003.- 

 ooo people to build and maintain 

 homes in the most delightful and beau- 

 tiful spot in America, that has induced 

 the United States Forest Service to 

 undertake the difficult task of reforest- 

 ing the mountains. 



First of all in importance, and a 

 matter that should precede planting 

 operations, is a systematic preparation 

 of the mountains by making fire- 

 breaks. This is done by removing the 

 growth from the main and most lateral 

 ridges so as to confine the fires to 

 narrow limits. This is being done, 

 and as it is purely mechanical, comple- 

 tion is only a question of available 

 funds. If only this were done and the 

 danger of fire removed, the increased 

 growth by natural methods would in 

 many fold repay the outlay by the con- 

 seqrent increased water conserving 

 power. There can be no water secured 

 in Southern California for irrigation 

 except that which falls on our moun- 

 tains, and the quantity to be had for 

 use in summer depends upon the char- 

 acter and density of the growth. What 

 to plant, and how to care for that 

 which is planted, is a problem the 

 Forest Service is studying w r ith great 

 earnestness. 



In the selection of species for plant- 

 ing, we are keeping as closely as pos- 

 sible to nature. We note carefully 

 what species she has planted on the 

 various slopes ; examine carefully the 

 climatic and soil conditions and alti- 

 tude where each species is found flour- 

 ishing. 



On the most parched and barren 

 slopes chaparral is best adapted. Chap- 

 arral is of great value in preventing 

 erosion, to some extent cooling the 

 surface, and acting as a nurse for the 

 trees, which must be returned to the 



water-sheds to insure a water supply 

 at all adequate for future demands. 

 The factor that makes the task most 

 difficult in reforesting, is the slight 

 rain fall. 



During the winter of 1 902^03, we 

 planted a large quantity of seed in 

 small beds over the mountain slopes. 

 The rain was sufficient to germinate 

 the seed, but the rain ceased early in 

 March and no more fell until Feb- 

 ruary, 1904. Many trees were living 

 six months after the rains ceased, but 

 at the end of eleven months of drouth, 

 but few were left. Besides the long 

 dry spell, an infinite number of small 

 creatures, such as rabbits, linnets, and 

 rats, preyed upon the little trees. We 

 did not feel so badly over this loss 

 when we observed that of all the bil- 

 lions of seed sown by nature after ger- 

 minating and promising well, withered 

 and died. 



Passing over the stages of experi- 

 ment through the drouth years, which 

 have been of great value, the plan now 

 is to grow the trees one summer under 

 lath shade of y 2 density, where we can 

 care for them ; and during the winter 

 months transplant them in beds in the 

 open ground. During the second win- 

 ter, the idea is to transplant on the 

 mountain sides where they are to grow 

 permanently, all the trees that are 

 strong of root and top, and not less 

 than 12 inches high. The weaker 

 seedlings must be transplanted and 

 kept another year under training. The 

 main object in having them large is, 

 that the rabbits, of which there are 

 many in the chaparral, will cut the 

 little seedlings off close to the ground. 

 The larger trees may be cut off several 

 times, but are well supplied with dor- 

 mant buds, and will send out a fine 

 spreading top. 



Places are prepared for the trees 

 where they are to grow permanently. 

 by digging a space 1 1 / 2 or 2 feet across 

 and i foot deep, if possible on the 

 north side of a bush. The spot is 

 marked by tying a rag on the bush 

 nearest the bed, to enable the planter 

 to find it. These beds are made in 

 the fall or early winter that the ground 

 mav have time to settle. As soon as 



