REFORESTATION ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 19 
practice better than planting. A far greater proportion of the 
Forest Service reforestation operations has been conducted by direct 
seeding than by planting. Of a total area of 124,732 acres covered 
up to June 30, 1915, 84,320 acres were seeded directly and 40,412 
acres were planted. Practically all of the most important western 
species of trees and a number of exotics have been given a trial, a 
Avide range of conditions has been covered, and a great variety of 
methods tested. 
In many localities direct seeding has not been successful. In some 
instances when success or partial success was at first reported it has 
developed later that, although good germination was secured, the 
seedlings were killed by drought, birds, frost, or severe winters. 
E Aborts in direct seeding have strongly emphasized the fact that the 
success of plantations so started can not be judged until they have 
passed through a period of at least three years. The results obtained 
already indicate that if rodents are controlled and two or three 
favorable years in succession follow sowing, direct seeding can be 
made to succeed on the more favorable sites. No final conclusion, 
however, has yet been reached regarding the merit of the direct 
seeding method, and investigations are now being carried on in a 
more intensive manner on smaller experimental areas. 
Consistent success in direct seeding has been obtained with lodge- 
pole pine on the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado. Here, on 
northerly slopes at altitudes between 8,000 and 10,500 feet, broad- 
casting on the snow and seed spotting, both being done in the fall, 
have quite regularly given good results. Broadcasting has been con- 
ducted only on areas where the soil was exposed — that is, not covered 
with duff or a heavy growth of grass — while seed spotting is em- 
ployed even where such ground cover exists. 
Direct sowing of maritime pine on the Florida National Forest 
appears promising when the seed is broadcasted on plowed ground 
and covered by means of a brush drag. Plantations started in this 
manner have passed successfully through a three-year period. Sow- 
ing on plowed strips three furrows wide and on harrowed strips, 
the seed being covered in each case with a brush drag, also gives 
promise of success. Seed spotting is the least successful method 
tried, except broadcasting without preparation. All of these opera- 
tions must be carried on in October after fall rains have started ; and 
rodents must be eradicated or greatly reduced to obtain success. 
Planting. 
On the greater portion of the National Forest areas in need of 
f orestation it is probable that planting is ultimately more successful 
and cheaper than direct seeding Results in plantations which have 
