The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-08-25

In order to provide planting stock
for our own use and for general dis
tribution, a forest tree nursery is
maintained at Higgins Lake. This
originally included about five acres.
but was recently increased to twice its
former size to keep pace with the in
creasing scope of the work of refor-
estation. Both seedlings and trans
plants, Of coniferous species exclusive
ly, are raised here. Particular atten-
ton is given to the native Norway and
White pines, although other species,
such as Scotch, Western Yellow,
Austrian and Lodgepole pines, Red,
White, Blue and Norway spruces,
Douglas fir and European larch, are
grown for experimental purposes.
Careful records covering a period of
years have enabled us to arrive at rea-
sonably accurate figures representing
the cost of raising seedlings and trans
plants OF various species. The follow
ing are a few examples of the cost per
thousand of 2-year-old seedlings and
3-year-old transplants in the ground:
TWO-YEAR SEEDLINGS.
White pine (sowed in rills) $0.66S
Norway pine (sowed in rills) AIS
Western Yellow pine broadcast
ed OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. III
Norway spruce (broadcasted) -. .724
TIiREE-Y EAR TRANSPLANTS, ONE
YEAR TRANSPLANTED.
Nhlte pine '''''...' 2.S4
Norway pine .................2 .67S
Western Yellow pine. ........ 2.917
Norway spruce NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1924
The largest single item of cost Is
that Of labor. All labor is recorded on
time cards or which the time of each
man employed in the nursery is dis
tributed to the most minute detail.
Such details include preparation of
ground, sowing, covering, mulching,
uncovering, watering, wedding. cult
vation, inventory, etc, for each sepa-
rate age class of the different species.
From these not only can the total cost
OF labor entering into the production
or any one species of certain age be
determined, but also the cost of each
successive step in the complete opera
ton. We are thus able to detect the
weak points in our nursery work and
remedy them accordingly. All mate
rails such as seeds, bed covers, mulch,
lumber for frame, boxes, SCREENS, etc,
are taken into consideration. The unit
Tor figuring costs is the seed bed. The
cost per bed having been ascertained |
this amount Is then apportioned
among the number of thousands of
plants shown by the annual inventory
to be contained in the average bed of |
given species and age. Many of the
items of cost fuctuate slightly from
year to year, depending upon the quail |
lty OF seeds, difference in seasons
death rate due to fungus diseases. etc.
put the hgures cited above, deduced
from observations extending over a
period OF four years, are considered as
fairly representative. The nursery has
all requirements for planting
On the State Forests, besides large
1umbers of plants distributed through
'ut the State each year. The annual
inventory shows a stock of about
''VVv'Voo transplants and seedlings on
land at the present time.
The activities in reforestation are
gradually assuming larger proper
ions. There are large areas on the
state Forests that are almost devoid
N any tree growth of a desirable kind.
fire protection is afforded
he absence of seed trees, from which
'aturai regeneration might take place,
makes IL necessary to employ artif-
lal methods If such places are to be
estocked. Planting involves consider
Die financial outlay, and is advisable
My where reasonable protection can
e assured. Up to the present time
'll9 acres have been planted, of which
lumber 679 acres have been set in the
asst four years.
Our present practice is to prepare