SHORTLEAF PINE 157 



seldom fails to produce a good crop of fertile seeds each 

 year. The cones are smaller than the Longleaf and have 

 less curvature; nor do they open as readily, frequently 

 holding some of their seeds for several months. Two years 

 are required to perfect the seeds, which are quite triangular 

 in shape, but the wings are similar in form to those of 

 other Pines. If they fall where the sunlight reaches them, 

 they readily germinate, but the tree does not, in either 

 early or adult life, demand as much light as the Longleaf. 

 The young plants grow rapidly. It is not unusual to see 

 them from six to eight inches high the first year. At the 

 end of the second year, twelve inches may be reached. It 

 has a tap-root, but this feature is not strongly developed, 

 which makes planting in the nursery possible. Natural re- 

 production will take place, however, if not prevented, but 

 seed planting would give a more regular and uniform stand ; 

 this is desirable in order to compel all the trees to drop 

 their lower limbs and form straight, clean stems, which 

 will not occur if they are left to grow in the open. The 

 distance apart should be about six feet. 



SHORTLEAF PINE : Plnus echinata 



NOTWITHSTANDING that it is encumbered with fifteen 

 different names in the regions where it grows, the lumber 

 cut from Shortleaf Yellow Pine is frequently mixed in the 

 lumber trade with other Southern Hard Pines and sold as 

 " Longleaf," " Yellow," " Southern," "North Carolina," or 

 "Georgia Pine," as the conscience or lack of knowledge 

 of the dealer may lead him to select. It is true that for 

 some purposes Shortleaf Pine will serve as well as Long- 

 leaf or Cuban, and it is better than either Old-Field or 

 Pitch Pine, but where strength, stiffness, and durability 

 are required it is inferior to either of the first two named ; 

 but its great value as a timber tree should not be disputed. 

 Its wide-spread distribution, adaptability to varied soils 

 and surroundings, its wonderful power of reproduction, its 



