ARTIFICIAL REFORESTATION 29 



fers and then transplanted into the forest, they are better 

 able to cope with their adverse surroundings than if com- 

 pelled to struggle for life when ill fitted to do so. 



To carry out this method the seeds are sown in beds in 

 the nursery, carefully protected from drouth and too much 

 sunshine, cultivated and defended from the encroachment 

 of weeds and disease, and, when large enough, transplanted 

 into the forest. With the pines and other conifers trans- 

 planting is generally done when the trees are three or four 

 years old, but with broadleaf trees most of them may be 

 removed from the nursery when only one, two, or, at most, 

 three years of age. 



This method of reforestation possesses the same advant- 

 ages that broadcast sowing and planting in hills enjoy by 

 giving full control over the species composing the forest. 

 Only suitable ones need be grown. There need be no weed 

 trees species worthless for lumber. An even stand can 

 be secured and the greatest yield of forest products ob- 

 tained. As more trees should be planted in the forest than 

 can ever reach maturity, this to compel those that may 

 be left to grow tall and drop their lower limbs, the de- 

 fective and less thrifty ones are discarded, as hereafter de- 

 scribed, and the resultant stand will all be perfect trees. For- 

 estry should be carried on along the same lines that other 

 business enterprises are, and satisfactory results should be 

 sought and obtained. The aim should be to secure the 

 greatest value of forest from the smallest possible area, or, 

 in other words, to secure the greatest percentage of profit 

 on the money invested, and perfect trees are more valuable 

 than imperfect ones. 



An acre of virgin forest may have seventy-five mature 

 trees standing upon it the average is far less than that 

 and it may be assumed that it has taken that number of 

 years for them to grow, or an equivalent of one tree a year. 

 It may also be assumed that as fast as any are cut others 

 will be naturally planted in their places so that the stand 

 will remain the same. Another acre may have two hundred 



