SHORTLEAF PINE : IMPORTANCE AND MANAGEMENT. 53 



are convenient and are extensively used. Sowing is sometimes done 

 in drills spaced 6 inches apart running crosswise in the beds. This 

 permits of cultivation between the rows. Otherwise seed is sown 

 broadcast over the bed and covered by sifting fine sand to a depth 

 of about one-quarter inch. This method better utilizes space in the 

 seedbed and is therefore cheaper. In the latter case about 300 seeds 

 should be sown on each square foot, or a total of one-quarter of a 

 pound of clean seed on each standard seedbed (4 by 12 feet) in 

 order to obtain a final stand of about 5,000 seedlings. This is about 

 100 per square foot. Sowing at the rate of 50 seed per linear foot in 

 the drills, less than one-tenth of a pound of seed will be required 

 for each seed bed, on which a stand of 2,000 seedlings is desired. 

 These quantities of seed are based upon a germination vigor of 50 

 to 60 per cent and the probable natural loss of seedlings during the 

 first few weeks. 



One-year-old seedlings are inexpensive to raise and handle and 

 give good results when planted out in favorable situations. Two- 

 year-old stock, either seedlings or one year in the transplant bed, 

 give better results on weedy or otherwise unfavorable sites. For 

 the most unfavorable situations 2-year-old transplants are best. To 

 produce these, 1-year-old seedlings with their roots pruned to about 

 8 inches in length should be transplanted early in the preceding 

 spring into open nursery beds. A spacing of 3 inches in rows 6 

 inches apart is recommended. Field planting is done preferably in 

 early spring just before root activity starts. Late fall is also a favor- 

 able time, and in case of large operations advantage may be taken of 

 both seasons. 



FORM OF PLANTATION. 



Shortleaf pine is admirably adapted to pure plantations, which 

 are strongly recommended over any kind of mixture in starting 

 young forest stands. Shortleaf may, however, be planted in mixture 

 with heavier foliaged species of slower growth — for example, sugar 

 maple and such durable and valuable wood as red juniper. This mix- 

 ture occurs naturally as a two-storied forest in the Piedmont region. 

 Other species suitable for use in mixture are white, chestnut, red, and 

 black oaks, and hickory. All of these except the close-crowned juni- 

 per require much larger growing space and greatly decrease the 

 yield of the pine per acre. In the higher portions of the Piedmont 

 plateau and the southern Appalachian range, white pine and short- 

 leaf in mixture have given good results. 1 The shortleaf, unlike the 

 white pine prunes itself quickly. The red pine and western yellow 

 pine ;ir<- not successful in mixture with shortleaf because of the at- 



1 In. •'. A BcbeSCk, formerly in f:liJiru<; of lli<! fores! on (lie Milt more V;imlerl>ill «sl:ntc. 



