INCENSE CEDAR. 19 
The seeds, two of which are borne normally at the base of each of 
the two seecl-bearing scales, are small, light brown, and attached to a 
comparatively large wing measuring from three-eighths to one-half 
inch in length and from three-sixteenths to one- fourth inch in 
breadth. The lightness of the seeds, which weigh about 16,000 to the 
pound, and their relatively large wings adapt them to wide distribu- 
tion by the wind. The wings are provided with glands containing 
a clear, red, pungently odorous resin which renders the seed more or 
less undesirable to rodents. This and the abundance and small size 
of the seed doubtless do much to insure the perpetuation of the 
species. 
Incense cedar produces more or less seed annually, but good crops 
are not general oftener than once every three years. Thus, from the 
records available, we find that in 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1915 the seed 
crop was good, except in a few localities; whereas in the intervening 
years either little seed was produced or it was abundant only locally. 
REPRODUCTION. 
Incense cedar reproduces readily, and in good seed years abun- 
dantly. Tests on the seed, however, show a germination of only from 
20 to 40 per cent. The seed is distributed in the fall and germinates 
early in the spring. Its ability to germinate in vegetable as well as 
mineral soil is advantageous in enabling it to get a foothold in deep 
litter, bear clover, and similar ground cover, where other species seem 
unable to start. It is even found growing in old stumps and rotten 
logs, where it often reaches a considerable size before securing a foot- 
hold in the mineral soil. Its long, rapidly growing taproot doubtless 
aids it a good deal in doing this and does much to insure its survival 
during the first few years of its life. 
Incense cedar ordinarily does not reproduce in the open or in 
dense shade, seeming to prefer the half light of a high forest or the 
yellow pine and black oak cover of the upper foothill zone. In 
early life it is exceedingly tolerant of shade, but requires more light 
for its full development as it grows older. Consequently, though 
it survives under dense shade, it is unable to compete with the faster 
growing pines or the more tolerant firs with which it is associated. 
Drought is undoubtedly the seedlings' greatest enemy. The long 
dry season, extending in normal years from June 1 to October 15, 
causes many to succumb. In localities where actual counts have 
been made this loss has been found to amount to as much as 90 per 
cent, and in dry years it is practically complete. 
A good seed year followed by a favorable season means an abun- 
dance of reproduction ; in other years there is practically none. It is 
