LONGLEAF PINE 41 
involves the necessity of starting young growth by artificially sowing 
seed or by planting small seedlings. Both the natural and artificial 
methods will be briefly considered. 
SEED PRODUCTION AND GERMINATION 
Longleaf trees bear seeds at intervals of two to four years. In 
open stands some seed is borne almost every year. Apparently about 
every seven years heavy crops of seed are produced generally over 
the longleaf belt. Such heavy seed years occurred in 1913 and 1920, 
and fair crops were borne in 1916, 1921, and 1924. Incidentally, the 
production of a heavy crop of seed is accompanied by a shrinkage in 
the flow of gum in turpentine operations. An experienced operator, 
in charge of one of the largest and most up-to-date turpentine plants 
in the South, estimated that the shrinkage of crude turpentine pro- 
duction in 1920', coincident with the maturing of the heavy seed 
crop, amounted to 10 to 15 per cent of the normal production. 
The seeds are relatively large, averaging about 7,500 to the pound, 
and are rich in food materials. The seeds are provided with wings 
which usually carry them away from the tree for distances up to 
once or twice its height, and in strong winds as far as several 
hundred yards. Compared with the seed of most of the yellow 
pines, that of the longleaf is heavy and not widely dispersed. A 
reliable observation was reported in the fall of 1920 of an abundant 
seeding taking place on the leeward side of old timber at a distance 
of about one-quarter mile from the margin. 
Like all pines, longleaf requires two growing seasons to mature its 
seed. The seed ripens in September and soon falls from the cones. 
The normal time for germination is probably from two to five weeks 
after the seed falls, or during October and November. The seed pos- 
sesses quick germinative energy and has been known to sprout in 
damp weather while it is in the partially closed cones on cut trees, 
and frequently while it is in cones lying on the ground. Seed col- 
lected in Florida in the fall of 1920 gave a germinative test of 5 per 
cent in 5 days, 32 per cent in 7 days, 71 per cent in 2 weeks, and 73 
per cent in 17 clays. In the better grades of seed probably the good 
or viable seed amounts to about 70 per cent, but the average is about 
50 per cent. No other species of pine, so far as is known, shows 
quicker activity in seed germination and the establishment of the 
seedlings (fig. \). 
SEED-TREE METHOD— NATURE'S WAY 
If proper methods are followed at the time of cutting, and if a few 
good seed trees are left per acre, not a dollar need be spent for seed 
to start young longleaf. In order that the seedling may get a good 
start, it is necessary for the seed to come in contact with or close 
to mineral soil. In low ground, where the soil cover is very heavy 
(" rough ") and contains more than a year's growth, this is not apt to 
happen. The necessity then arises for preparing the ground to 
receive the seed. Observations show that even in deep grass a few 
seeds fall in openings and germinate successfully. In some cases it 
may be found advisable, during the winter or early spring before a 
good seed crop is anticipated, to burn over lands which it is desired 
