LONGLEAF PINE. 37 
usually carry them away from the tree for distances up to once or 
twice its height, and in strong winds as far as several hundred yards. 
Compared with the seed of most of the yellow pines, that of the 
longleaf is heavy and not widely dispersed. A reliable observation 
was reported in the fall of 1920 of an abundant seeding taking place 
on the leeward side of old timber at a distance of about one-quarter 
mile from the margin. 
Like all pines longleaf requires two growing seasons to mature its 
seed. The seed ripens in September and soon falls from the cones. 
The normal time for germination is probably from two to five weeks 
after the seed falls, or during October and November. The seed pos- 
sesses quick germinative energy and has been known to sprout in 
damp weather while it is in the partially closed cones on cut trees, 
and frequently while it is in cones lying on the ground. Seed col- 
lected in Florida in the fall of 1920 gave a germinative test of 5 per 
cent in 5 days, 32 per cent in 7 days, 71 per cent in 2 weeks, and 73 
per cent in 17 days. Probably about 70 per cent of the seed good or 
viable is representative for the better grades, and about 50 per cent 
is the usual average. No other species of pine, so far as known, shows 
quicker activity in seed germination and the establishment of the 
seedlings (fig. 4). 
SEED-TREE METHOD— NATURE'S WAY. 
If proper methods are followed at the time of cutting, and if a few 
good seed trees are left per acre, not a dollar need be spent for seed 
to start young longleaf. In order that the seedling may get a good 
start, it is necessary for the seed to come in contact with or close 
to mineral soil. In low ground, where the soil cover is very heavy 
(" rough ") and contains more than a year's growth, this is not apt to 
happen. The necessity then arises of preparing the ground to receive 
the seed. Observations show that even in deep grass a few seeds fall 
in openings and germinate successfully. In some cases it may be 
found advisable, during the winter or early spring before a good seed 
crop is anticipated, to burn over lands which it is desired to reforest. 
This will afford a light grass cover which is probably more favorable 
to successful germination than entirely bare soil, such as the seed 
would fall upon directly after the burning. Where fires have been of 
yearly occurrence and in regions of thin grass or other sparse soil 
cover, such measures will be unnecessary. The preparation of a good 
seed bed might be tried experimentally by turning in hogs early in the 
fall of a seed year, but excluding them in time to be sure of a sufficient 
supply of seed on the area. Natural stands up to 20,000 seedlings per 
acre in the spring after the heavy seed crop of 1920 were not uncom- 
mon on the Florida National Forest. On adjacent lands not under 
Government ownership and having fewer seed trees, the young forest 
