"Kirkwood Greenhouses", Sault Star Clipping, 1977

LITTLE RAPIDS - With the erection of two new modern greenhouse the nursery at the Kirkwood division of the ministry of natural resources now supplies trees for reforestation to the whole north east region.

The region encompasses the area from North Bay to Wawa.

During the season, between one to two million pine seedlings will be shipped within this area.

The two new structures that were built last summer measure I03 by 24 feet.

Equipped with controlled temperatures and an automatic sprinkler, the seedlings now germinate and grow at an accelerated rate. To further the modern operation, fertilizer is also dissolved In the water system.

Each greenhouse accommodates approximately 180,000 seedlings. In the first few days after planting, the temperature is held at an 80 degree mark and the seedlings are watered every hour to develop the stock. After the initial treatment, both the temperature and water are cut down accordingly.

Seeds planted in early March are ready for shipment in weeks. Most seedlings have reached n height of six inches by this time.

Plants are then transferred outdoors to a shaded area where they are watered until shipping time. They are then transported by refrigerated trucks throughout the region.

Another new aspect of the operation that has been instigated this year is an automatic seed planting machine.

The machine is capable of planting approximately 30,000 seeds an hour. It represents an increase of four to five times, the output that was previously realized.

Another new feature that has been added to the faster development of the young trees, is the introduction of the individual paper pots.

This innovation replaces the plastic tube that was originally used.

Once the tubings were transferred outside technicians found that the plastic material was unsatisfactory due to the restraint of root growth as well as frost heave and slow deterioration.

When the greenhouses are emptied towards the end of June, replanting will commence.

The new crop of seedlings will then be wintered over in readiness for next spring's planting season.

An existing method of bare roots planting is still being continued at the Kirkwood nursery.

The outside stock on the plantation reaches a growth of two to three years before being lifted and transplanted.

It is estimated that between seven and eight million trees are at different stages of growth under this program.

Senior resource technician Charles Stoneman and resource technician Glen McGrath oversee the operations.