# A published proof for: the number of labeled $i$-edge ($i \geq 1$) forests on $p^k$ vertices is divisible by $p^k$

Let $F(n;i)$ be the number of labeled $i$-edge forests on $n$ vertices (A138464 on the OEIS). The first few values of $F(n;i) \pmod n$ are listed below:

$$\begin{array}{r|rrrrrrrrrrr} & i=0 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 6 & 7 & 8 & 9 & 10 & 11 \\ \hline n=2 & 1 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 5 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 6 & 1 & 3 & 3 & 3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 7 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 8 & 1 & 4 & 2 & 4 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 9 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 10 & 1 & 5 & 0 & 0 & 5 & 5 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 11 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \end{array}$$

We see that if $n$ is an odd prime power and $i \geq 1$, then $n$ divides $F(n;i)$. I can prove this via group actions and induction.

Question: Is there is a published proof of this result?

(Or, alternatively, a succinct proof of this result.)

• Actually, I suspect this is true for all odd $n$ (although, since I only need the result for odd prime powers, I haven't looked into the more general case). Mar 14 '14 at 22:33