As a result the squirrels really do not scatter 

 much seed and, therefore, do a great deal more 

 damage than good. 



The seed that has been disseminated 

 during the late fall and early winter months usu- 

 ally germinates early the next spring. It is es- 

 sential, however, that the seeds get into the mi- 

 neral earth and that the necessary protection from 

 excessive evaporation is afforded. The moisture 

 resulting from the melting snows is usually enough 

 to stimulate and start the germination of the seed. 

 Life is then prolonged "by the plant foods stored 

 in the seed, while a primary root several inches 

 long is pushed into the moist soil and develops 

 secondary roots upon reaching available moisture. 

 Then several tightly- rolled pointed leave a push 

 out of the ground and carry the seed coat vrith them 

 on their tips. After the primary root is foimed 

 and the leaves "begin to extend above the surface 

 of the groimd, its life depends upon v/lietlier the 

 primary root is well enough established to keep 

 pace with the immediate drought that usually fol- 

 lows. It is for this reason that the largest per- 

 centage of V/estern Yellow Pine seedlings are found 

 in sheltered places where the transpiration of 



-14- 



