KEFORESTATION ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 
37 
pine in NeAv Mexico and probably offers the only reasonable chance 
of success in summer planting. As such plants are unduly expen- 
sive to grow and plant, the possibilities of successful planting dur- 
ing the other seasons should be exhausted before resort is had to 
this method. If summer planting could be carried on successful!}^ 
in such regions, it would have the decided advantage of favorable 
weather conditions for a considerable period of time. . 
FALL PLANTING. 
The possibilities of fall planting are governed largely by soil and 
climatic factors. Loose, friable soil, not subject to serious heaving, 
or even heavier soils which will be covered with a heavy fall of 
snow all winter, may be safely planted in the fall, provided the soil 
moisture conditions make this season seem the best for planting. 
Labor is usually readily available, and in some regions the weather 
continues fair and is better suited to planting than any other season. 
Further, the stock is in the ground, the soil becomes well packed 
around the roots, and the tree is ready to begin growth early in the 
spring. In consequence, it becomes fairly well established before 
the advent of the dry, hot season. On the other hand, on heavier 
soils or where heavy snowfall does not prevail, particularly on south 
and west slopes, the plants are liable both to heaving and to winter 
killing, and in some regions the work is very likely to be interrupted 
or entirely stopped by premature heavy snowfall or freezing of the 
ground. 
One serious objection has arisen to fall planting of Douglas fir 
at high altitudes in Utah, where the snowfall is very heavy. The 
weight of the snow has crushed down the planted stock and resulted 
in its blackening and rotting as though attacked by a fungus. Where 
the plantations are under an aspen cover, the aspen leaves fall upon 
the small plants, become matted over them,- and contribute to their 
destruction. 
WINTEK PLANTING. 
Where the winter is accompanied by snowfall or by cold, freezing 
weather, planting is obviously impracticable. It is practiced some- 
what in southern California during December and part of January 
before freezing occurs, along the coast region of Oregon until Jan- 
uary 1, and during January and February in southern New Mexico. 
SEASON FOR PLANTING IN DIFFERENT REGIONS. 
Experience gained so far in the Forest Service indicates that early 
spring planting should be followed in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, 
Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, 
