UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 479 W 
szw^&su 
Contribution from the Forest Service 
HENRY S. GRAVES, Forester 
&&'&J-U 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
May 31, 1917 
NURSERY PRACTICE ON THE NATIONAL 
FORESTS. 1 
By C. R. Tillotson, Forest Examiner. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Introduction 1 
Factors influencing selection of a nurs- 
ery site 1 
Size and arrangement of nursery 7 
Outfit 10 
Nursery operations 15 
Page. 
Removal of planting stock from nurs- 
ery 
Diseases and injuries in nursery 
(Fertilizers 
Costs of operations 
64 
79 
86 
INTRODUCTION. 
Each year about 10,000,000 forest-tree seedlings or transplants are 
required for the reforestation operations on the National Forests. 
The stock supplied for these operations must be of the proper size 
and species, of high grade, and available for use on very short notice. 
Furthermore, production of the stock under seasonal conditions cor- 
responding as closely as possible to those at the planting site is 
desirable. In order that these requirements may be met and that at 
the same time the stock may be produced at a low cost it is neces- 
sary not only that the nurseries be properly located and of the right 
size, but also that efficient and economical methods of nursery prac- 
tice be employed. 
FACTORS INFLUENCING SELECTION OF A NURSERY SITE. 
Choosing a site for a large nursery is difficult, especially in a 
mountainous country, where all of the conditions favorable to nurs- 
ery operations are seldom encountered on one area. The principal 
1 This bulletin represents the results of the study and experience of many different mem- 
bers of the Forest Service. The author's part has been to compile, weigb, and harmonize 
these results. The collection of forest-tree seed and field seedling and planting are covered 
in Bulletin No. 475 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, " Reforestation on the Na- 
tional Forests.'' 
Note. — This bulletin should prove of interest and value to all who are engaged in 
nursery work with forest trees. 
63186°— Bull. 479—17 1 
