THE RED SPRUCE. 65 
quite probable that a second cut could not again be secured short of 
100 years, and it would also be increasingly difficult, if not impos- 
sible, to secure satisfactory natural restocking. 
By comparison the same land managed under a system of clean 
cutting and planting could reasonably be expected in 60 years to 
yield at least 50 cords from trees 8 inches and over in diameter at 
breast height and an additional 10 cords from trees between 6 and 8 
inches, or a total of 60 cords. A further advantage, though of minor 
importance, is that with the planted stand the material produced 
would be uniformly of a size to be easily handled by hand in the bolt. 
If handled in the log, the cost of logging would be somewhat more 
than the cost of handling larger timber. 
DIRECT SEEDING. 
Under certain circumstances it may be found advantageous to sow 
the seed broadcast in the places where the future forest is to be, 
simulating methods of nature. This will give satisfactory results 
where an abundance of seed can be secured cheaply and where an 
extensive area too stony or otherwise encumbered to admit of planting 
economically is to be reforested, but only as the result is viewed from 
the standpoint of the whole. Acre for acre the result will be less 
satisfactory than planting, particularly in commercial reforestation, 
for there will be many bare places, which will increase the cost in 
proportion to the amount of land that lies unproductive throughout 
the life of the resulting crop. If the bare spots are planted later, that 
will increase the cost. Other methods of a more or less extensive 
character are: Broadcasting the seed on previously plowed strips; 
planting with a corn planter; or hand planting in prepared seed spots. 
These methods are not ordinarily well adapted to red spruce; for as 
the intensiveness of the method increases, the cost very nearly 
approaches that of planting seedlings, which would be much more 
likely to succeed. 
PLANTING. 
On account of the tenderness of spruce, its exacting demands on 
the quality of the seedbed, and its slow growth in early youth, much 
more satisfactory results will be obtained in reforestation by plant- 
ing than by sowing. The choice of stock is of great importance. If 
the ground cover is dense, the soil wet or dry or subject to freezing, 
or if direct insolation is strong, especially thrifty plants must be used, 
such as three of four year old nursery transplants. For planting on 
an area from which the surface cover has been recently removed and 
the mineral soil exposed two-year-old nursery seedlings will suffice, 
provided the situation is sheltered and the too prolific development 
of brush and weeds can be prevented. A slight nurse cover for 
84949°— Bull. 544—17 5 
