CARE OF THE WOOD LOT 



321 



and seedlings. The germination of tree seeds, especially 

 those of the evergreens, is so uncertain that it is frequently 

 more economical to buy seedlings from the nursery. Says 

 Fernow, with regard to tree plantings : " In some locali- 

 ties for instance in the western plains the germinating 

 of seeds in the open 

 field is so uncertain, and 

 the life of the young 

 seedlings for the first 

 year or two so precari- 

 ous, that the use of seeds 

 in the field cannot be 

 recommended. In such 

 locations careful selec- 

 tion and treatment of 

 the planting material 

 according to the hard- 

 ships which it must en- 

 counter can alone secure 

 success." 



Directions for prepar- 

 ing the soil, for the time 

 and the other details of 

 planting, and for later 

 culture, are usually fur- 

 nished by the nursery. 

 These directions must 



be closely followed in order to secure the best results, 

 especially from a combination of species. 



236. Care of the Wood Lot. After the wood lot has been 

 successfully started, a natural thinning process begins. 

 The struggle for existence among the seedlings causes 

 many to die, and at the end of the tenth year compara- 

 tively few remain. Attention needs to be given at all 



INJURY TO SHADE TREE. 



