o 



60 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



In other cases there is need of clearing the ground more or less thoroughly of debris 

 in order to reduce fire danger and make the planting practicable. The degree to 

 which the clearing must be done varies, and so does the cost. 



The College has started the solution of the question of how much clearing is 

 needful and how cheaply this preparatory work may be done, as well as how cheaply 

 a growth of valuable tree species may be re-established. 



Sometimes Nature has covered the burn with a growth of aspen or birch, and, if 

 left alone, gradually the more valuable conifers — pine, spruce, and cedar — would 

 establish themselves by natural process. But even here the helping hand of man may 

 hasten the process of useful occupancy of the soil by using as much of the volunteer 

 crop for nurse purposes as may be desirable. Lanes are opened through the aspen 

 growth at varying distances apart, and pines and spruces are set out in the lanes 

 where they will be benefited by the light shade of the neighboring strips of aspen 

 and white birch. 



The species which have been chosen for this planting are entirely taken from the 

 family of conifers. The conifers are the most useful of the trees of the temperate 

 zone; they are required in largest quantity — -the consumption in the United States 

 standing as three to one, when compared with the hardwoods — and they promise to 

 continue to hold their position in the market. 



White pine is the king of the woods, and, with the development of the pulp 

 industry, spruce is next to the throne ; hence these two species should be specially 

 encouraged. Moreover, the hardwoods have, in the struggle for the occupancy of the 

 soil, various advantages which the conifers lack. They will propagate without much 

 assistance, while the conifers, with their greater permanent and economic value, 

 deserve, and, with their natural deficiencies in propagating, require the protection and 

 encouragement which may be artificially given to them. 



Besides the native white pine, which is in every respect .the most desirable species 

 to plant, growing rapidly into useful material, the Norway spruce has been favored. 

 This was first done with hesitation, and mainly because plant material of the native 

 spruce was not readily attainable, while the European species could be had in large 

 quantities and most cheaply. In addition, the European spruce grows more rapidly 

 and produces better material. 



After observing older and younger plants and seedlings of this species in their 

 new home for two seasons, expectations have been far surpassed by the behavior of 

 the plants. Of the six or seven species planted, the Norway spruce has shown that 

 it is more perfectly at home than any other, and promises to grow as vigorously here 

 as it has done elsewhere in the United States. The seeds germinate most readily — 

 very different from the white pine, which germinates slowly. The seedlings in the 



