26 



must be guarded against. If the soil becomes soaked, or suffi- 

 cient light and air are withheld, ideal conditions for the action 

 of the fungus exist, and the result is the "damping off" of large 

 numbers of the young trees. In shaded seed beds, when the 

 quantity of rain is sufficient to endanger the young trees, the 

 damping off may be checked by so raising one side of the shade 

 frame that it acts as a partial roof. Dry sand sprinkled over 

 the seed bed will usually tend to hold the fungus in check. 



Birds and field mice are often very troublesome around con- 

 iferous seed beds. If danger from such sources is expected, 

 the seed may be coated with red lead mixed with linseed oil be- 

 fore sowing. This is distasteful to most birds and rodents and 

 is usually quite effective. Another method is to protect the beds 

 by wire netting and similar devices until the seedlings are suffi- 

 ciently developed to be free from danger. 



SETTING IN the; FIELD. 



White pine seedlings should be planted on the permanent site 

 in the early spring when the ground is dry enough to work. In 

 most cases the site will not need preparation previous to planting. 



The roots must not be allowed to become dry during the plant- 

 ing. Even brief exposure of the roots to the sun and air will 

 cause the plants to die. 



The distance apart at which the plants should be set depends 

 upon the character of the site and whether the pines are to be 

 planted in mixture with some other trees or in a pure stand. The 

 usual distance is 6 by 6 ft. apart. In this region white pine is usu- 

 ally planted in pure stands, but it also produces excellent forest 

 conditions in mixture with a number of other species, the chief of 

 which are, European larch, Norway spruce, red oak, and hard 

 maple. When planted in mixture with larch, the pine should 

 constitute two-thirds of the stand. 



]\Iixed with the other species, the stand should be composed 

 of an equal number of white pine and the associated species 

 planted alternately. On account of the increased danger from 

 insect and fungus enemies, it is advisable not to start planting 

 operations too soon after logging. 



