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withstand summer conditions his trade will be badly affected. More- 
over, if seeds can be collected in a locality where they are plentiful and 
distributed widely a great economy is effected. The nurseryman’s rep- 
utation is dependent upon the character of his stock as well as upon his 
personal integrity, so that he should have full knowledge of the influ- 
ence of the locality of the seed trees upon the hardiness of their offspring. 
The planter is more interested, perhaps, than either of the others, as 
the suecess or failure of his plantation is involved. 
Observations have been made on many species. Mr. Robert Douglas 
reports that the Black Walnut at Waukegan, Ill., when grown from 
native trees, is perfectly hardy, but seedlings from nuts grown in the 
southern part of the State winterkill badly at Waukegan. So, too, 
Douglas Spruce, from seed grown on the western slopes of the Cascades 
in Oregon, with their moist and mild climate, are not hardy in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, while seedlings of the species from trees growing on the 
eastern slopes of the Rockies, with their dry, rigorous climate, are per- 
fectly hardy. Instances of this kind might be repeated. 
To determine the range of this influence of the locality of the parent 
trees upon hardiness, development, and similar questions, the Division of 
Forestry has instituted an experiment in cooperation with thirty experi- 
ment stations. Seven species of deciduous trees of wide natural distri- 
bution were collected at all the stations where they could be obtained, 
and samples of each lot were sent to the entire list of stations. In this 
way seed from each locality was grown side by side with seed of the 
same species from all the other localities, fairly representing the entire 
country. An opportunity was thus afforded for comparative study. 
While the experiment has not yet progressed far enough for the publica- 
tion of results, there are already significant indications which warrant 
its continuance through a series of years and with many species. 
RULES FOR MIXING SPECIES. 
The choice of kinds to be planted in any locality is, then, dependent 
upon hardiness, adaptability to the particular location (high or low 
land, ete.), availability (ease and cheapness with which they can be 
procured), economic value of the wood, or especial purpose in view 
(wind-break only, or post timber, fuel, etc.). The relative height- 
growth and light requirement are the principal considerations that 
determine the mixing of species. In some regions the capacity of a 
species for preserving or improving the character of the soil is also 
important. The following rules for mixing species are taken from the 
Annual Report of the Chief of the Division of Forestry for 1886: 
RULE 1. The dominant species (i. e., the one that occupies the greater part of the 
ground) must be one that improves the soil conditions, generally a shady kind. 
RuLE 2. Shade-enduring (i. e., densely foliaged) kinds may be mixed together 
when the slower-growing kinds can be protected or guarded against the overshad- 
owing of the more rapid grower, either by planting the slower grower first or in 
