THE ART OF THE SECOND GROWTH 



nient in squares allows for a given planting distance 15% less plants 

 per acre than the triangular system. 



Tlie rectangular system, though scientifically objectionable, 

 practically prevails over the others. The plantlets standing close 

 within a row assist one another from early times on. Planting 

 between the rows and the cultivation of slopes are facilitated within 

 rectangles. It is said, however, that the saplings form large side 

 branches and retain the same for a longer period of years. Rectan- 

 gular plantations are known to suffer less from snowbreak. 



F. Usually it is best to make the holes for the plants before 

 planting,— unless, on clay soil, the holes are apt to collect water. 

 The making of holes takes more time, in many a case, than the 

 planting itself. It should not be done during the few spring days 

 favorable to tree planting. 



G. The rangers should make all needful preparations for 

 planting several days or weeks before planting, securing the seed- 

 lings, " heeling them in " close to the plantation and getting the 

 implements and tools in proper condition. 



No. of plants No. of plants 



Planting per acre in per acre in 



distance. squares. triangles. 



1 foot 43,560 50,650 



2 foot 10,900 12,674 



3 foot 4.850 5,640 



4 foot 2,725 3,168 



5 foot 1,750 2,034 



6 foot ■ 1,210 1,407 



Paragraph XIX. Criteria of ^ood seedlings. 



A. The root system; 



The root system should be as compact as possible and as rich 

 in fine hair fibres as possible, qualities which are obtained in a 

 well-fertilized nursery. It must be remembered that the small 

 hair fibres are the feeders of seedlings, and that the stronger roots 

 act merely as the skeleton giving the plant a firm anchorage in 

 the soil. 



A short exposure to sunlight and to dry winds kills the root 

 hairs. Roots cannot live in air any better than fish, though requir- 

 ing oxygen like fish (compare paragraph XXII). Toumey claims 

 that " many successful planters never set evergreens until the root 



