LONGLEAF PINE 
43 
sparse soil cover, such measures will be unnecessary. The prepara- 
tion of a good seed bed might be tried experimentally by turning in 
hogs early in the fall of a seed year, but excluding them in time to 
be sure of a sufficient supply of seed on the area. Natural stands up 
to 20,000 seedlings per acre in the spring after the heavy seed crop 
of 1920 were not uncommon on the Florida National Forest. On 
adjacent lands not under Government ownership and having fewer 
seed trees, the young forest was on the average only about one- fourth 
as dense. Stands of 4,000 to 13,000 seedlings per acre (PL X) the 
second and third years after seeding are not uncommon. 
Although good seed years are generally followed by good stands 
of seedlings, it is not always so. Because of the palatability of the 
HELP REFOREST THIS TIMBERLAND 
Longleaf pine bears seed in quantities only once 
every five or seven years. 
This is a mast year, and this fall and winter will 
produce the only seed in quantity that can be ex- 
pected before 1926 or 1927. 
On the seed fall of this season depends in large 
part the future supply of naval stores and saw tim- 
ber of this region. 
The young pine seedling is quickly and totally de- 
stroyed by fire during the first two years of its life. 
Nature will do its part by furnishing and sowing a 
bountiful supply of seed. Will you do your part in 
helping to prevent forest fires while the seedlings are 
being established? 
Join us in starting a new stand of timber. 
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 
Be careful with fire in the woods. If you find a fire 
burning, put it out if you can; if you need aid, notify 
the nearest forest ranger. 
The above poster was used by the Forest Service in 1920. The Government 
on its national forests in the South is reforesting its lands by the natural 
method of leaving seed trees and protecting the young growth from fires. 
large kernels, great numbers of seeds are destroyed by weevils, 
birds, mice, rats, squirrels, and " razorback " hogs, and to some extent 
by cattle, especially when the seeds collect in wagon ruts and other 
depressions. It is believed that the practice of shooting hawks and 
owls has allowed the various rodent pests to multiply greatly. 
Favorable weather conditions during the first six months or so after 
the seed falls will greatly increase the number of trees that become 
established. 
The best trees for reseeding the cut-over lands are, all things 
considered, the younger, full-foliaged, vigorous-growing trees. 
These trees usually have been standing apart and are relatively very 
