Reforestation in Xorthcrn Arizona 



103 



canic cinder soil formation at an elevation of 6,800 feet. Poison- 

 ed oats were scattered over the area before the seed spot sow- 

 ing was started, in an attempt to poison the rodents. The seed 

 spots were spaced six by six feet, and a space fifteen inches 

 square was dug up to a depth of about four inches. Three men 

 prepared the spots with mattocks, while one man sowed the 

 seeds and covered them with a rake. A count later in the season 

 showed that very few seed had germinated. This may be ac- 

 counted for by the following factors ; failure of poisoned oats to 

 kill the rodents, the small amount of precipitation during the 

 past growing season, and the excessive evaporation from the 

 cinder soil due to scant covering of vegetation and looseness 

 of the soil. 



Broadcasting of Western Yellow Pine was also tried on the 

 brush scattered area at the same time that the spots were sown. 

 A count later in the season showed that no seed had germin- 

 ated ; this can be accounted for by the same factors as those 

 affecting the seed spot results. 



Below in tabular form is given the various items entering 

 into the cost of seed spot sowing and broadcasting of Western 

 Yellow Pine. ' 



The cost per acre also includes time spent in getting equip- 

 ment to and from the area, and team hire. 



In order to raise plants for experimental planting a nursery 

 was established by the Forest Service nine miles northwest of 

 Flagstaff, Arizona. The site selected for the nursery proper is 

 on an east slope protected by trees from the prevailing southwest 

 winds. The soil is a very fertile loam mixed with small rocks 

 of volcanic origin. 



About a week previous to sowing seed beds four feet wide 

 and twelve feet long were marked out and spaded to a depth 

 of approximately fourteen inches. After the large clods had 

 been broken up with a rake, the soil to a depth of eight inches 

 was put through a one- fourth inch wire mesh sieve. The treat- 



