REFORESTATION ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 



31 



placed that the tops of no two successive layers overlap. Wholesale 

 losses from heating and molding, induced apparently by pressure of 

 the snow, have occurred where the tops have overlapped. Fall heel- 

 ing in for spring planting has in a number of instances proved very 

 unsatisfactory, and it is a practice which should not be followed if 

 avoidable. At no time, in fact, should plants be heeled in for a long 

 period because loss of vitality results. 



For spring planting on the Gunnison National Forest, crates of 

 Douglas fir trees received from the nursery before planting could be 





Fig. 5. — Reforestation on the National Forest. A, Good planting (tree will live if firmly 

 set) ; B, careless planting (tree set too deep and roots crowded ; will very likely die) ; 

 C, very careless planting (tree set too shallow ; will surely die) ; D, careless planting 

 (sod, grass, etc., tamped around roots; will dry out and tree will die) ; E, careless 

 planting (tree set too deep on side hill; will be covered by soil rolling from above). 



conducted were buried in snow. This stock kept in excellent con- 

 dition until it could be planted. 



Too often, without a doubt, failures in planting are ascribed to 

 improper methods of planting, inhospitable sites, etc., when in realty 

 they are due to exposure of the roots at some time during the period 

 following digging at the nursery. Every care must be taken, there- 

 fore, to guard against this. Care must also be taken against heeling 



