REFORESTATION ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 47 



seed collected either in a more southern or in a more northern region. 

 The former produces trees which do not harden rapidly enough to 

 escape danger from frost and the latter produces stock of less rapid 

 growth. 



Handling of Stock. 



The manner of handling the stock from the time it is lifted in 

 the nursery until it is planted in the field is all important. The 

 fatal effect of allowing the roots to become dry or the tops to heat 

 and mold has already been shown. Too much emphasis can not be 

 laid upon this point. 



Quality of the Site. 



Unfavorable sites, such as those with very thin or very rocky and 

 sandy soils, those with a dense cover of grass or other herbaceous 

 growth which will compete with the plants for soil moisture, wind- 

 swept areas, or those with intense insolation, are often responsible 

 for failure. The most favorable sites should first be chosen, so far as 

 possible; and, again, the place for each tree or seed spot should be 

 carefully selected with reference to shelter from the sun or live stock 

 or to take advantage of the better patches of soil. 



Time and Method of Planting or Sowing. 



The time of planting or sowing has much to do with success. The 

 climate of a region may be such as practically to insure the failure 

 of operations conducted at a certain season. This makes the study 

 of local climatological data of considerable importance when exten- 

 sive operations are to be conducted. These will indicate the seasons 

 when the weather conditions will normally be favorable. If the soil 

 is moist at the time of planting or sowing and the work itself is 

 followed by a favorable season, the probabilities of success are good ; 

 while if an unusually dry summer or very open, cold winter fol- 

 lows, the greatest success can not be expected. This is one of the 

 factors governing success which can not be foreseen and over which 

 no control can be exerted. A good deal of dependence must accord- 

 ingly be placed upon the quality of the site itself, and in controlling 

 the other factors so far as possible. 



The virtue of the different methods of planting and sowing has 

 already been discussed somewhat, and it can readily be seen that 

 where the methods employed are not suitable to the site, soil, or the 

 stock, losses are certain to occur. Experience gained from experi- 

 mental work and the character of the native stands of timber will 

 be the best guides in determining the proper methods. 



