REFORESTATION" ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 29 



cause although theoretically it seemed destined to assure better 

 results, practically it has not done so. Fully as good results have 

 been achieved by preparing the holes at the time of planting as by 

 preparing them a month before. 



POT PLANTING. 



Sometimes stock which has been grown in paper pots is planted. 

 The whole pot is planted either in a hole or a pit. The pot is set in 

 the hole and the loose soil thrown in and firmed closely around it 

 and piled up enough to cover its top. 



Pot planting is particularly designed for arid and semiarid 

 regions or for summer planting. The roots are not disturbed or 

 exposed during the operation, and good soil is retained around them. 

 This is decidedly conducive to success, particularly in dry regions. 

 It permits of summer field planting, because the plant, which is 

 growing, is not disturbed to any appreciable extent during the 

 process. 



When tried in Arizona the method was not especially successful. 

 Better results at a much lower cost were secured through planting 

 vigorous, sturdy bare-rooted stock. In southern California devel- 

 opments up to date indicate that the method may prove the most 

 suitable in reforestation operations in that region. The greatest 

 success through its use has been secured largely in experimental 

 work with incense cedar and western yellow and Jeffrey pine. 



Some objections to the method have developed. The planting 

 stock itself is unduly expensive because of the cost of the pots and 

 the individual attention which must be given to each plant in pro- 

 ducing it. Moreover, it is difficult and expensive to transport and 

 distribute the pots over the planting site. The pots form a ready 

 line of cleavage with the soil and have in some instances been 

 heaved up with the plant out of the ground during periods of alter- 

 nate freezing and thawing weather. Further, the best root develop- 

 ment is not secured, and after the pots are set out in the field there 

 is a decided tendency for the roots to remain confined to the good 

 soil of the pots rather than to reach out into the surrounding soil. 



BALL METHOD. 



The ball method consists in removing each tree from the nursery 

 with a ball of the nursery soil surrounding the roots and planting it 

 in the field in this condition. Almost the same advantages would 

 result from this as from pot planting, but it is obviously impracti- 

 cable thus to remove the small trees used in forest planting. 



Care in Planting. 



In planting operations there are a number of points to be kept in 

 mind. Special attention must be called to the susceptibility of coni- 



