SYLVICULTURE. 



Since the rangers and the helpers in forest planting should 

 know the sylvicultural needs of the seedlings, it is surely wise to 

 offer them object lessons at home through self-administered nurs- 

 eries. 



C. Nurseries proper, in charge of the forester. 



Where mice are much feared the nurseries should be sur- 

 rounded by a deep, straight walled ditch. Fences are made of 

 wire, lath, rails, etc., differing in material, strength, height and 

 fineness of mesh according to the enemies locally dreaded. 



Proper nurseries yield the largest percentage of seedlings out 

 of a given quantity of, seeds. The seedlings raised therein have a 

 better, more compact and more fibrous root system than wild plants. 

 Expensive and exacting species should always be raised in " forest 

 gardens." 



There may be distinguished: 



Nurseries under tree cover. 



Shifting nurseries. 



Permanent nurseries. 



I. Nurseries under tree cover form the exception, being required 

 only for the production of seedlings of tender species; notably of 

 Hemlock, Hard Maple, Beech. The nursery is formed by a pole- 

 wood heavily thinned and dug over with the spade. Here Beech- 

 nuts are planted broadcast or in furrows and the seedlings removed 

 when two years old, without transplanting. Hard Maple and Hem- 

 lock should be raised as in open nurseries. 



It is a noteworthy fact that broad-leaved kinds often thrive 

 best under conifers (Oak and Beech under Pine) and conifers best 

 under broad-leafed kinds (Spruce best under Beech, Maple, Birch). 

 Only theoretical explanations can be given for this truism, the best 

 explanation being the difference of enemies attacking such species. 



Objections to nurseries under tree cover: 



a. Soil preparation is costly and insufficient. 



b. Plants raised cannot be planted in the open without loss. 



c. Nurseries under tree cover suffer badly from mice and 

 squirrels and obtain insufficient rainfall. On the other hand, weeds 

 and grasses are kept down by the shelter overhead. 



Nurseries under tree cover form the exception, not the rule. 



II. Shifting versus stationary nurseries. 



The advantages of stationary forest nurseries over shifting 

 forest nurseries are: 



a. Reduced cost of tilling. 



b. Reduced cost of fencing. 



73 



