2IO REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



loosely. The results thus far are indeterminate, but seem to favor the use of 

 dead leaves. Mention is made of this matter here, because each of these materials 

 is in use in one place or another. 



Other beds are devoted to experiments in deep, medium and shallow planting. 

 Thus far the best results have been attained by a medium depth in which the 

 root-collar was slightly covered. Experiments are also being made with reference 

 to quick and delayed transplanting. As might be naturally expected, of the 

 plants which were set out immediately all lived, while most of those which were 

 delayed died sooner or later, according to the period of delay. 



Interesting tests were made in trimming the roots of the two-year-old seedlings 

 before transplanting. The thriftiest plants were obtained from those with uncut 

 roots, a fact which seems to be at variance with the practice in some of the 

 German nurseries. 



Experiments were also made to ascertain the relative ability of seedlings to 

 withstand the effects of sun and frost. While it was found that certain species 

 were much more susceptible to injury in this respect than others, it also appeared 

 that none were hardy enough to enable the forester to dispense entirely with some 

 kind of protection. 



In one part of the inclosure mustard plants are used to furnish shade for 

 the tender species growing there, while some of the beds are covered with racks 

 on which straw and brush are placed for protection from the sun. Many of the 

 beds which had been planted with broad-leaved species contained young trees 

 from six to eight feet high. The coniferous transplants were not over twelve 

 inches in height, although four years old. In general, the minor details of the 

 technical work is the same as that described later on in connection with the 

 German nurseries. 



This nursery, which is quite irregular in outline, is nearly level, with a slight 

 slope to the south. Labels, neatly and plainly lettered, which can be read at a 

 glance by one standing in the paths, are placed in each bed to show the species 

 planted there. About one half of the area is occupied by broad-leaved plants, 

 conspicuous among which are ash, beech, European chestnut and oak, the latter 

 including the red, scarlet, English and pedunculate. This place is well worth 

 visiting by any forester who may happen to be in its vicinity. 



Adjoining the nursery, and separated by a fence, is an arboretum which was 

 commenced in 1897, and hence the trees are small. But it already contains three 

 hundred and twenty-one species, among which our native American trees are 

 largely represented. 



