The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-06-06

| reau of forestry of the department OF
agriculture, on the planting of white
pine. Mr.. Kempton, after studying
many experiments, says that the
| planting of white pine is advantageous
on watersheds, on sand barrens, on
bare lands and worn-out pastures,
! he adds that such planting is prac-
teal not only for states and corpora
tions but for the private landowner
as WELL
| For several years the department of
agriculture has been conducting ex-
periments, particularly in the New
northwest destructive methods of
numbering, forest fires and the inabil-
ity Of white pine to reproduce in the
intense shade of broad-leaf trees have
obliterated the great white pine for
! eStS. The increasing value OF lumber,
says Mr.. Kempton in his report, and
of this forest land for other purposes
| make the restoration of these forests
an important economic consideration.
i From figures which the experiment.
| er publishes it is seen that numbering
| may be practiced proftably at be-
| tween thirty-five and forty-five years
hn ina Of
time says the report, the diameter
of the trees where grown in the prop
er density, is s to Il inches. This
would not sell in the market as first
class, nor even as second class TIMBER
but trees of this size have in
,, most regions a ready market for use
to s. per cord on the stump"
Public Health Involved.
But the commercial use of lands of
this nature is a secondary considera-
ton, for the report says
Many large towns and cities store
their water supply in lakes or reser-
face drainage water When the
streams upon which they depend have
bare water sheds they flow in tor
rents and are wasted in the spring.
but soon become exhausted in time of
drought. AS a result, there is likely
to follow not only a water famine, but
a of ha
of which find perfect conditions of de-
velopment in the stagnant pools that
are left by the shrunken streams. At
ter the first heavy rain they are wash
ed into the reservoir below, contain
mating the entire supply.
whenever natural reproduction
cannot be depended upon to cover the
pastures and bare lands of reservoir
watersheds with forest growth they
should be planted with the immediate
object of protection and the ultimate
purpose of numbering. Figures can
now be produced which show that for
estry thus practiced is profitable. 1t
therefore becomes a problem which
deserves the careful consideration of
every water company having waste or
idle lands.
In almost every eastern state there
have been cut over, and have since
been swept by annual fires, which
have driven out the valuable species, |
and left scrubby oak, cherry, maple, |
poplar and shrubs. Such land pre-
sents one of the most difficult of tree
planting problems, and usually plant |
ditiOnal care and expense is necessary
to protect the young seedlings from
fire and the condition of rapid grow |
ing trees and shrubs. The expense of
planting also is increased, for all |
dense sprout growth must be remov-
ed and larger seedlings or transplants |
used in order to advance the growth
as much as possible.
Conditions on Cut Over Lands.
"On recently cut-over areas which |
have not been burned, tree planting is !
seldom necessary, for usually valuable |
species will reproduce naturally. Cut |
over recently burned areas frequently |
present satisfactory conditions. and
planting of 3-year-oId once-trans- |
planted white pine should be sue
cessful. On areas where sprout growth |
is scarce or poorly distributed practi- |
cal tree planting usually consists |
merely of filling the gaps, thus assist
ing natural regeneration"
In the bulletin four typical planta
lions are described and illustrated. |
Particular study was given to the most
successful ways of planting, and eco
nomical methods are suggested and
described. Practical suggestions for
the collection and storage of seed. Sc
lection and preparation of ground ap-
proved species of mixture and man.