REFORESTATION ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 19 



practice better than planting. A far greater proportion of the 

 Forest Service reforestation operations has been conducted by direct 

 seeding than by planting. Of a total area of 124,732 acres covered 

 up to June 30, 1915, 81,320 acres were seeded directly and 40,412 

 acres were planted. Practically all of the most important western 

 species of trees and a number of exotics have been given a trial, a 

 wide range of conditions has been covered, and a great variety of 

 methods tested. 



In many localities direct seeding has not been successful. In some 

 instances when success or partial success was at first reported it has 

 developed later that, although good germination was secured, the 

 seedlings were killed by drought, birds, frost, or severe winters. 

 Efforts in direct seeding have strongly emphasized the fact that the 

 success of plantations so started can not be judged until they have 

 passed through a period of at least three years. The results obtained 

 already indicate that if rodents are controlled and two or three 

 favorable years in succession follow sowing, direct seeding can.be 

 made to succeed on the more favorable sites. No final conclusion, 

 however, has yet been reached regarding the merit of the direct 

 seeding method, and investigations are now being carried on in a 

 more intensive manner on smaller experimental areas. 



Consistent success in direct seeding has been obtained with lodge- 

 pole pine on the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado. Here, on 

 northerly slopes at altitudes between 8,000 and 10,500 feet, broad- 

 casting on the snow and seed spotting, both being done in the fall, 

 have quite regularly given good results. Broadcasting has been con- 

 ducted only on areas where the soil was exposed — that is, not covered 

 with duff or a heavy growth of grass — while seed spotting is em- 

 ployed even where such ground cover exists. 



Direct sowing of maritime pine on the Florida National Forest 

 appears promising when the seed is broadcasted on plowed ground 

 and coyered by means of a brush drag. Plantations started in this 

 manner have passed successfully through a three-year period. Sow- 

 ing on plowed strips three furrows wide and on harrowed strips, 

 the seed being covered in each case with a brush drag, also gives 

 promise of success. Seed spotting is the least successful method 

 tried, except broadcasting without preparation. All of these opera- 

 tions must be carried on in October after fall rains have started ; and 

 rodents must be eradicated or greatly reduced to obtain success. 



Planting. 



On the greater portion of the National Forest areas in need of 

 forestation it is probable that planting is ultimately more successful 

 and cheaper than direct seeding Results in plantations which have 



