SHORTLEAF PINE : IMPORTANCE AND MANAGEMENT. 51 



years. The procedure, in summary, is to (1) protect the vigorous 

 younger growing stock and all pine reproduction against cutting; 

 (2) retain sufficient wind-firm and full-crowned seed trees to provide 

 for completely restocking the area, if possible within the next three 

 years, or natural cycle of full seed production; (3) cut diseased and 

 deformed trees if not needed for seed (leave these for seed only in 

 the absence of better trees) ; (4) create as full an opening of the 

 forest floor as possible to supply light to the young trees; (5) 

 utilize the hardwoods, favoring white oak over other species because 

 of its greater value; and (6) prevent fires. It is practically certain 

 that shortleaf pine can be profitably extended much more widely 

 within its natural range than it is now by following these suggestions. 



REGENERATION BY SOWING AND PLANTING. 



Where it can be secured, natural reproduction is of course best, but 

 sometimes it is desirable to start a complete young stand by sowing 

 or planting, especially to fill in blank spaces. The vigor and hardi- 

 ness of shortleaf pine on well-drained or moderately dry soils make 

 it particularly valuable for reforesting eroded slopes and dry ridges, 

 where, on account of lack of moisture, the growth of hardwoods is 

 retarded. Within its range few other species are so well adapted for 

 reforesting abandoned fields, even those badly gullied, and water- 

 sheds supplying water to towns and cities. The work of sowing and 

 planting is especially important because the mature trees which 

 seeded the present old field stands a quarter of a century ago have 

 now become very scarce. 



METHODS. 



Sowing the seed directly in the field is usually much the cheaper,, 

 but transplanting the young trees from nursery beds is the surer 

 method of securing a complete stand. 



In direct seeding two methods of preparing the soil are commonly 

 employed. Throwing two or three furrows together reduces the weed 

 competition and prepares a favorable seed bed. Where the surface is 

 rough, steep, or otherwise unfitted for the use of a plow, seed spots 

 are prepared by digging up a space 12 to 18 inches square with a mat- 

 tock, or, in very loose soil, an ordinary garden hoe. If the soil is 

 loose and reasonably free from weeds, etc., smaller " spots" are some- 

 times satisfactory. The seeds are then well scattered in the prepared 

 soil and carefully covered. In the plowed furrows seed is sown either 

 in seed spots and covered by using a light mattock or heavy garden 

 hoe or scattered by hand and the strip run over by a brush or spike- 

 toothed harrow. A covering usually of not more than one-quarter of 

 an inch of fine mineral soil is desirable. Too deep covering is unfav- 



