DESTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG PLANTS. 



55 



be that eveu when the seed of the two pines fall on the same land 

 the loblolly pine by its rapid growth during the first few years 

 overshadows and efFectuall}^ crowds out the more slowly growing 

 long-leaf pine, and the latter during this early slow growth are 

 easily destroyed by fires and by live slock. The two are, however, 

 rarely seen associated together in second growth woods. The seed 

 ripening in October fall to the ground rapidly and if there is a 

 warm moist season sprout immediately. In the event of a long 

 warm rain just after the seed are matured -they will frequently 

 sprout in the cones and the entire yield will be thus destroyed. 



DESTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG PLANTS. 



The young long-leaf pine seems to be especially adapted by the 

 form of its root system for growing on a sandy soil. By the end 

 of its first year's growth its root system, which has grown rapidly, 

 consists of a large tap-root which extends 6 to 10 inches deep in the 

 sand, and from the bottom of it branches out the smaller roots 

 which draw nourishment from the soil. It is this deep-seated 

 root system sent thus early lar down into the soil wdiich enables 

 this pine to grow on the sand barrens, and it is doubtless because 

 the roots of the loblolly are small and divide for the first year or 

 two into a great many small divisions, lying near the surface, that 

 it does not get sufficient moisture and nourishment from the dry 

 surface sand to enable it to thrive on the sand barrens before this 

 land has been cultivated. This long tap-root of the long-leaf pine 

 frequently goes through the sand into the loam soil and secures 

 for the tree a firm anchorage against storms and enables it to draw 

 its nourishment from a more fertile soil. 



The stem parts of the long-leaf pine are as peculiarly adapted 

 for growing on a sand soil as the root system is. Instead of the 

 stem's branching or growing the first year it only puts out a great 

 number of very long thick leaves, exceedingly close to the ground. 

 These leaves soon spread out and help to shade the ground close 

 to the plant and keep it moist. At the end of the first season's 

 growth the single (terminal) bud is not over an inch and a half 

 above the earth and the bud itself is nearly an inch long, so that 

 it can be said that the stem of the seedling does not grow any in 



