The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-09-26
WEST VA.
Continued from Page One)

stand composition by species; and
many other combinations of this
data.
From the results of combining
the IBM calculations and aerial
photographs, a Forester's Field
Map is drawn. This map serves as
p guide to the District Forester in
the management of the unit. From
this map, the District Forester
can locate areas which require
treatment such as planting, brush
drumming, or cutting as well as
those areas in which treatment is
either unnecessary or impractical.
By consulting the map, the stands
which are ready for the harvest of
certain products: pulpwood, saw
timber, or poles and piling can be
readily determined. Peat depths
are shown, thereby aiding road 10
cation as well as determining the
suitability of areas for the plant
ing of certain species.
With the completion of this for
est inventory, an improved plan
of land management can be pre-
pared including reliable estimates
of future returns.
New Crop on Sandy Ridge
Visitors to Sandy Ridge in Dare
County can see a new crop grow
ing in a 4-acre clearing there. The
new crop is superior pine seed.
Let us see what is required to
grow superior pine seed.
To begin with, we are growing
select trees to produce seed that
will be better than average seed.
We begin by search out trees that
are straight, tall and big. Trees
that meet the requirements are
compared to the five nearest trees
to be sure that they are better. A
tree that is better than its neigh
bors is called "select tree. We
know that select tree will pro-
duce seedlings that are better than
average.
The next step in raising pine
seeds is grating. Grating of
twigs from the select trees to ordi-
nary seedlings shortens the time
of waiting for seed production. A
pine tree will not usually produce
cones and seed until it is 20 years
old or older. Twigs GRATED to seed
lings are expected to produce cones
and seed in 6 to 10 years.
We use method called "side
grating. The twig from the Sc
lect tree is tapered into a thin
wedge about 8 inches long. A cut
is made in the stem of the seed
ling as long as the wedge of the
twig. The wedge is slipped into the
cut. The inner bark of both. pieces
is lined up, the twig and seeding
stem are held together and wrap
ped tightly with a rubber band.
The graft is tagged to identify it.
A cover of aluminium foil and a
clear plastic bag is put over the
graft to keep it warm and moist.
A dose of bug dust is sprayed UNI
der the cover to keep insects away.
In two months the bud at the
tip of the graft should begin to
grow. When the leader has put
out needles, the branches of the
Seeding are cut off. All new
growth is put on by the grated
twig. The tree that develops from
the graft will be of straight form,
fast growth and have smaller side
branches which will reduce knot
size in lumber.
The successfully grated trees
are fortified, weeded, and sprayed
as in an orchard. We call the
field of grated pines "seed or
chard". After the orchard is in
full production we expect to OBJ
tain seed to plant at least 1900
acres each year or enough to plant
half the acreage scheduled to be
planted each year at North Caro-
lima Woodlands.
The seed orchard at North Caro-
lima Woodlands is part of a CO.
operative project with other indus
try and North Carolina State Col
lege School of Forestry. The
North Carolina Research Project