56 BULLETIN 475, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Among these are areas either above or below timber line, rock slides, 

 very shallow-soiled south slopes, wet alpine meadows, very dense 

 brush fields where it is a physical impossibility to conduct planting 

 operations, and areas now barren but which it is almost certain will 

 eventually be stocked from surrounding seed trees. 



Montana and Idaho. 



East of the Continental Divide no direct seeding is recommended, 

 except possibly on the most faA^orable north slopes, with the best 

 quality of soil, and here only on an experimental basis. West of the 

 Continental Divide direct seeding is not generally recommended; but 

 the best chance for success is thought to be with white and yellow 

 pine on cool north slopes. Recent burns are preferable, since there 

 the loss from rodents and damping off is diminished. 



In general, planting may be carried on with success practically 

 anywhere within natural altitudinal limits west of the Continental 

 Divide. East of the Divide sod-covered areas should not be planted. 



EAST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. 



Western yellow pine: (1) South slopes, altitude of from 3,500 to 

 6,500 feet; (2) west slopes, altitude of from 3,500 to 5,500 feet; (3) 

 east slopes, altitude of from 3,000 to 5,500. 



Such ground cover as grass, weeds, brush, and fire debris have an 

 appreciable effect on success by reducing transpiration; but the 

 greatest cause of success or failure east of the Continental Divide is 

 believed to be porosity of soil. Soil with clay content enough to 

 make it pack hard invariably results in heavy loss. The best sites are 

 those with soil which contains particles of rock large enough to 

 prevent close packing. Such soil is usually indicated by a thin 

 broken sod. 



Douglas fir: (1) North slopes, altitude of from 5,000 to 7,500 feet; 

 (2) east slopes, altitudes of from 5,000 to 7,500 feet; (3) west slopes, 

 altitude of from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The effect of ground cover on 

 the success of Douglas-fir plantations is greater than on those of 

 western yellow pine. 



Lodgepole pine: (1) North slopes and high divides, altitude of 

 from 6,000 to 7,500 feet; (2) east slopes, altitude of from 6,500 to 

 7,500 feet; (3) west slopes, altitude of from 6,500 to 7,500 feet. 



WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. 



Western white pine: (1) North slopes and flats up to 4,500 feet 

 in elevation (on the Bitterroot Mountains up to 5,000 feet) ; (2) 



