LONGLEAF PINE. 37 



usually carry them away from the tree for distances up to once or 

 twice its height, and in strong winds as far as several hundred yards. 

 Compared with the seed of most of the yellow pines, that of the 

 longleaf is heavy and not widely dispersed. A reliable observation 

 was reported in the fall of 1920 of an abundant seeding taking place 

 on the leeward side of old timber at a disfance of about one-quarter 

 mile from the margin. 



Like all pines longleaf requires two growing seasons to mature its 

 seed. The seed ripens in September and soon falls from the cones. 

 The normal time for germination is probably from two to five weeks 

 after the seed falls, or during October and November. The seed pos- 

 sesses quick germinative energy and has been known to sprout in 

 damp weather while it is in the partially closed cones on cut trees, 

 and frequently while it is in cones lying on the ground. Seed col- 

 lected in Florida in the fall of 1920 gave a germinative test of 5 per 

 cent in 5 days, 32 per cent in 7 days, 71 per cent in 2 weeks, and 73 

 per cent in 17 days. Probably about 70 per cent of the seed good or 

 viable is representative for the better grades, and about 50 per cent 

 is the usual average. No other species of pine, so far as known, shows 

 quicker activity in seed germination and the establishment of the 

 seedlings (fig. 4). 



SEED-TREE METHOD— NATURE'S WAY. 



If proper methods are followed at the time of cutting, and if a few 

 good seed trees are left per acre, not a dollar need be spent for seed 

 to start young longleaf. In order that the seedling may get a good 

 start, it is necessary for the seed to come in contact with or close 

 to mineral soil. In low ground, where the soil cover is very heavy 

 (" rough ") and contains more than a year's growth, this is not apt to 

 happen. The necessity then arises of preparing the ground to receive 

 the seed. Observations show that even in deep grass a few seeds fall 

 in openings and germinate successfully. In some cases it may be 

 found advisable, during the winter or early spring before a good seed 

 crop is anticipated, to burn over lands which it is desired to reforest. 

 This will afford a light grass cover which is probably more favorable 

 to successful germination than entirely bare soil, such as the seed 

 would fall upon directly after the burning. Where fires have been of 

 yearly occurrence and in regions of thin grass or other sparse soil 

 coyer, such measures will be unnecessary. The preparation of a good 

 seed bed might he tried experimentally by turning in hogs early in the 

 fall of a seed year, hut excluding them in time to he sure of a sufficient 

 supply of seed on the area. Natural stands up to 20,000 seedlings per 

 acre in tin- spring after the heavy ->■>■<] crop of L920 were not uncom 

 inon on the Florida National Forest. On adjacent lands not under 

 Government ownership ami having fewer seed trees, the younj forest 



