EEFORESTATION" ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 
47 
seed collected either in a more southern or in a more northern region. 
The former produces trees which do not harden rapidly enough to 
escape danger from frost and the latter produces stock of less rapid 
growth. 
Handling of Stock. 
The manner of handling the stock from the time it is lifted in 
the nursery until it is planted in the field is all important. The 
fatal effect of allowing the roots to become dry or the tops to heat 
and mold has already been shown. Too much emphasis can not be 
laid upon this point. 
Quality of the Site. 
Unfavorable sites, such as those with very thin or very rocky and 
sandy soils, those with a dense cover of grass or other herbaceous 
growth which will compete with the plants for soil moisture, wind- 
swept areas, or those with intense insolation, are often responsible 
for failure. The most favorable sites should first be chosen so far as 
possible; and, again, the place for each tree or seed spot should be 
carefully selected with reference to shelter from the sun or live stock 
or to take advantage of the better patches of soil. 
Time and Method of Planting or Sowing. 
The time of planting or sowing has much to do with success. The 
climate of a region may be such as practically to insure the failure 
of operations conducted at a certain season. This makes the study 
of local climatological data of considerable importance when exten- 
sive operations are to be conducted. These will indicate the seasons 
when the weather conditions will normally be favorable. If the soil 
is moist at the time of planting or sowing and the work itself is 
followed by a favorable season, the probabilities of success are good ; 
while if an unusually dry summer or very open, cold winter fol- 
lows, the greatest success can not be expected. This is one of the 
factors governing success which can not be foreseen and over which 
no control can be exerted. A good deal of dependence must accord- 
ingly be placed upon the quality of the site itself, and in controlling 
the other factors so far as possible. 
The virtue of the different methods of planting and sowing has 
already been discussed somewhat, and it can readily be seen that 
where the methods employed are not suitable to the site, soil, or the 
stock, losses are certain to occur. Experience gained from experi- 
mental work and the character of the native stands of timber will 
be the best guides in determining the proper methods. 
