56 BULLETIN 475, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 
Among these are areas either above or below timber line, rock slides, 
very shallow-soiled south slopes, wet alpine meadows, very dense 
brush fields where it is a physical impossibility to conduct planting 
operations, and areas now barren but which it is almost certain will 
eventually be stocked from surrounding seed trees. 
Montana and Idaho. 
East of the Continental Divide no direct seeding is recommended, 
except possibly on the most favorable north slopes, with the best 
quality of soil, and here only on an experimental basis. West of the 
Continental Divide direct seeding is not generally recommended ; but 
the best chance for success is thought to be with white and yellow 
pine on cool north slopes. Recent burns are preferable, since there 
the loss from rodents and damping off is diminished. 
In general, planting may be carried on with success practically 
an3^where within natural altitudinal limits west of the Continental 
Divide. East of the Divide sod-coA^ered areas should not be planted. 
EAST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. 
Western yellow pine: (1) South slopes, altitude of from 3,500 to 
6,500 feet; (2) west slopes, altitude of from 3,500 to 5.500 feet; (3) 
east slopes, altitude of from 3,000 to 5,500. 
Such ground cover as grass, Aveeds, brush, and fire debris have an 
appreciable effect on success by reducing transpiration; but the 
greatest cause of success or failure east of the Continental Divide is 
believed to be porosity of soil. Soil with clay content enough to 
make it pack hard invariably results in heavy loss. The best sites are 
those with soil which contains particles of rock large enough to 
prevent close packing. Such soil is usually indicated by a thin 
broken sod. 
Douglas fir: (1) North slopes, altitude of from 5,000 to 7,500 feet; 
(2) east slopes, altitudes of from 5,000 to 7,500 feet: (3) west slopes, 
altitude of from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The effect of ground cover on 
the success of Douglas-fir plantations is greater than on those of 
western yellow pine. 
Lodgepole pine: (1) North slopes and high divides, altitude of 
from 6,000 to 7,500 feet; (2) east slopes, altitude of from 6.500 to 
7,500 feet; (3) west slopes, altitude of from 6,500 to 7,500 feet. 
WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. 
Western white pine: (1) North slopes and flats up to 4,500 feet 
in elevation (on the Bitterroot Mountains up to 5,000 feet) ; (2) 
