INCENSE CEDAR. 19 



The seeds, two of which are borne normally at the base of each of 

 the two seed-bearing scales, are small, light brown, and attached to a 

 comparatively large wing measuring from three-eighths to one-half 

 inch in length and from three-sixteenths to one- fourth inch in 

 breadth. The lightness of the seeds, which weigh about 16,000 to the 

 pound, and their relatively large wings adapt them to wide distribu- 

 tion by the wind. The wings are provided with glands containing 

 a clear, red, pungently odorous resin which renders the seed more or 

 less undesirable to rodents. This and the abundance and small size 

 of the seed doubtless do much to insure the perpetuation of the 

 species. 



Incense cedar produces more or less seed annually, but good crops 

 are not general oftener than once every three years. Thus, from the 

 records available, we find that in 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1915 the seed 

 crop was good, except in a few localities; whereas in the intervening 

 years either little seed was produced or it was abundant only locally. 



REPRODUCTION. 



Incense cedar reproduces readily, and in good seed years abun- 

 dantly. Tests on the seed, however, show a germination of only from 

 20 to 40 per cent. The seed is distributed in the fall and germinates 

 early in the spring. Its ability to germinate in vegetable as well as 

 mineral soil is advantageous in enabling it to get a foothold in deep 

 litter, bear clover, and similar ground cover, where other species seem 

 unable to start. It is even found growing in old stumps and rotten 

 logs, where it often reaches a considerable size before securing a foot- 

 hold in the mineral soil. Its long, rapidly growing taproot doubtless 

 aids it a good deal in doing this and does much to insure its survival 

 during the first few years of its life. 



Incense cedar ordinarily does not reproduce in the open or in 

 dense shade, seeming to prefer the half light of a high forest or the 

 yellow pine and black oak cover of the upper foothill zone. In 

 early life it is exceedingly tolerant of shade, but requires more light 

 for its full development as it grows older. Consequently, though 

 it survives under dense shade, it is unable to compete with the faster 

 growing pines or the more tolerant firs with which it is associated. 



Drought is undoubtedly the seedlings' greatest enemy. The long 

 dry season, extending in normal years from June 1 to October 15, 

 causes many to succumb. In localities where actual counts have 

 been made this loss has been found to amount to as much as 90 per 

 cent, and in dry years it is practically complete. 



A good seed year followed by a favorable season means an abun- 

 dance of reproduction ; in other years there is practically none. It is 



