Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-10-01
RaA0 W AzaxyRE4R

planting is to be carried on, extremes Of condi-
lions have been sought so that this early, re
stricted reforestation would in the years to come
serve to point the way to carrying out
tensive operations.
One of tile areas chosen lies upon the slopes
OF Pixies Peak and includes the hre-denuded por-
lions of those watersheds from which several
towns, including Colorado Springs and Manitou,
secure municipal water. A reconnaissance study
) has shown there twelve or fourteen thousand
acres from which the forest growth swept by
fire in the early days before the growing demand
for water brought realization of the high value of
tree growth as water conserver In addition
to the forest products which can be produced
from the lands and the value of the tree growth
as water conserver, there is the high value of
establishing trees eventually to heal the CHASTITY
fire scars upon the mountain slope as Colorado
Springs and Manitou, two cities closely related to
each other represent one of the greatest tourist
centers in the West today.
The conditions of the locality were severe for
planting The uneven distribution of moisture,
high dry winds of spring and summer and also In
winter when the temperatures are low, the lack of
soil over much of the area and the movement of
the soil on the sleeper slopes made up these diff
culties. The soil, composed of large particles of
gravel comes from the decomposition of coarse
grained granite which forms the mountain masses
of the Pixies Peak group.
Study of the reforestation problems upon
Pixies Peak was made by W. J Gardner This
study very complete and weighed the diff
culties to be overcome in successfully establish
ing troe growth upon the barren sones. One
very interesting point brought In this study
the date of the fires which devastated such
large areas in the vicinity of Colorado Springs.
From the age of the young tree growth and the
upon trees injured by fire and yet not killed.
Mr. Gardner determined that greater part of the
devastated had been swept by a confagra-
tion of series of fires between the year 1850 and
1853. This date is interesting it shows the
time which has elapsed since the destruction of
the forest growth and how slow must be the
turn of forest growth to such lands by natural
means. In short, the high demand for all water
flow from the area and the recreational use then
being made and that which can be expected in
the near future. combined with the value and use
of all forest products grown upon this potential
forest land so Immediately accessible, justified
not waiting for natural reproduction but establish
ing such growth by artificial means.
Believing Ii best to produce the trees under
the same conditions in which they were to be
planted two nursery locations We're chosen high
on the big mountain, the land cleared shade
frames erected and seed sOwn. Then 10000 vel.
low pine seedlings were brought In from western
Nebraska and planted In Clementne GuIch, about
two and half miles from one of the nursery
sites. There are no records 10 show what weather
conditions prevailed at The time followed this
planting careful search the area in the
fall of 1907 resulted In the discovery of but one
Seeding alive.
The reason for this practically total failure
was given as largely due to the fact that seedlings
raised at Halsey notable to withstand the
sudden change to the higher altitude 1t was
proved later that seedlings of any sizes or from
any other localities with markedly different
climatic conditions We're not strong enough TO
survive the rgorou= conditions found here; that
in fact, It would take transplants of the more
vigorous type TO produce results These experi
ments showed that while there was some ad.
vantage In growing the plants under the same
conditions In which they would he set out many
points which would offset this advantage would
be gained In having the nursery located at