58 WESTERN YELLOW PINE IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO. 
FIELD SOWING AND PLANTING. 
There are three different seasons when planting is possible; spring, 
just before the summer rains, and just before the winter snows. There 
are indications that each of these seasons is the most favorable time, 
though there seems to be an inclination toward planting before 
the summer rains. Winter losses from summer planting have been 
severe. Probably spring planting will in the long run be the most 
successful. 
Planting of thrifty stock with well-developed root systems seems 
to be the only successful method, except in very favorable sites on 
high elevation, where direct seeding promises success. Where sow- 
ing is attempted, careful soil preparation and some protection against 
adverse climatic conditions are essential. Systematic poisoning of 
rodents is also often necessary. 
Cool northern or eastern exposures where moisture conditions are 
most favorable, or a partially protected draw at moderate elevations, 
are the best planting sites. The stock planted should, if possible, 
be raised fairly near the site, and should consist of 2-year-old trans- 
plants, except in favorable situations, where natural seedlings may 
be used. Ordinarily the pit method is best, with a spacing of 5 
by 5 feet, care being taken to select the most protected places for 
each spot. It is essential that the surface of the hole should be 
shghtly below the rest of the land, and that protection be given 
transplants while being planted. 
Western yellow pine when broadcasted should be sown about 6 or 
8 pounds per acre on the basis of 70 per cent germination in pre- 
pared soil. Poisoned wheat or other grain should be scattered where 
rodents are numerous. Perhaps the cheapest method would be to 
sow on the ordinary soil where the grass is not thick, and either rake © 
or harrow the seed in. A crude brush rake will often give the de- 
sired results by wounding the soil. The cost of sowing western 
yellow pine broadcast will seldom amount to less than from $10 to 
$12 per acre, depending upon the cost of the seed. There is a general 
impression that but a few pounds of seed are necessary in sowing. 
On the contrary, to be successful artificial sowing must be lavish, 
yet there is danger of going to extremes in the matter. Thus in seed- 
spot sowing, even with seeds of a comparatively low germination 
per cent, from 10 to 15 seeds to the spot will furnish at least one 
or two seedlings, provided any germination at all takes place. When 
a much larger number of seeds are sown, the seedlings often come up 
in a dense mass, and so do not stand as good a chance as 1f there were 
only one or two seedlings with correspondingly less competition. 
Moreover, rodents are attracted to a greater degree. In seed-spot 


sowing, as well as in planting, it is hightly important that the loca- 

