Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-08-06
PINE COMES I'm THE BLACK HILLS
A Chronicle Reporter Gathers Some Facts
About Them From the Forest su-
peryisor Of This District.

A Chronicle Reporter Gathers Some Facts
About Them From the Forest Su-
peryisor Of This District.
In the Black Hills, this year, pine
cones will be worth more per bushel than
potatoes. 1t so happens that pine seed
in the States of Idaho, Utah and Colo
RADIO, are very scarce and that while they
are not SO plentiful in the Black Hills as
they generally are. there 10 some seed
in nearly every part of the Hills-espe-
cislly in the southern portion.
Next year the Forest Service intends
to do vast amount of planting. In fact
an effort will be made to reforest much
larger area than has eyer heretofore
been undertaken. To do this it will be
absolutely necessary to secure an enor-
nous amount Of pine seed and it has
been decided to make an effort to get
the seed collected in the southern half of
the Black Hills National Forest. Super
iutendent lines informs q CHRONICLE re.
porter that the Government will pay for
pine cones at the rate of 75c bushsl
and there is practically no limit to the
amount which will be purchased. At
this price, people living in the Hills
should be able to make exceptionally
good wages. 1t 10 estimated that good
wagon load of cones will be worth from
$50 to $40.
Pine seed Is not yet ripe; therefore,
no collecting should be done at this
time. Cones collected now would only
be waste. When the little red squirrel
begins to lay in his winters supply is
the time when collecting should begin.
The Forest officers will also inform any
one who may inquire, when they should
begin their work.
Forest Supervisor R. P. lines says that
he hopes to be able to purchase at least
$50, 900 worth of cones. He intends to
mako arrangements to have cones re-
ceived at Keystone, Hill City, Custer,
Pringle, Newcastle, and, perh apps, several
points to be determined later. In fact,
he will make arrangements to receive
cones at most any point where it is found
that large amount of seed can be sc,
cured. Mr.. lines states, however, that
it will be necessary for the people who
gather cones to be extremely careful in
sorting them before they are delivered.
Many cones are affected by insects
which make them worthless. Those
damaged by insects will not be accepted,
and should insect infested cones be
mixed with good ones, it will be neces-
sary to have them resorted, before they
can be received by the Forest officers.
Another precaution which will be nee.
essary for the people to observe, is that
after the cones are collected, they should
not be allowed to open before they are
delivered. There are not as many cones
in bushel if they are partially open as
when they are completely closed and il
cones are allowed to open they may
loose their seed which would make them
Of no value. After they are collected
they should be kept in shady place
and not allowed to get wet, which would
cause the seed to mold.
1t is thought that the easiest way tc
get cones will be from squirrels nests
but the squirrels should not be robbed
before they have had an opportunity to
store good supply. In a good, large
hoard made by the squirrels there should
be from FIVE to eight dollars worth O.
cones. If, however, as large amount o.
seed is secured as Supervisor lines says
he desires, it will not be possible to rely
entirely upon the red squirrel. Othel
methods of collecting seed will have tc
be adopted; such as, cutting the conei
from the trees by sharp hooks on loni
poles, or by climbing the trees, and b,
the use Of ladders.
The Forest Officers, at the presen
time, are experimenting to determine
the best method of collecting and they
will be glad to furnish anyone informa
ton concerning how cones may best bs
collected and handled after they are Sc
cured.
Seed collecting should make 1t possible
for everyone to enjoy apicnic trip which
| will he nrofitahla aa wall M plaaa aant