658 



JAJFKOyiNG AND MAINTAINING GROUSE COVERTS 



Direct seeding of nut species is arranged as though the seedlings were being planted. Sod 

 scalps are first made. Then twn nuts are buried in the center of the spot about twice as deep 

 as the diameter of the seed. Rodents cause considerable loss to plantations of acorns and 

 nuts. For this reason, plantings should be kept away from the edges of existing woodlands 

 in so far as possible. Greater success will be attained when these plantings are made in years 

 when squirrels and mice are not excessively abundant. No satisfactory material has yet been 

 developed to repel rodents from either nuts or seedlings. 



PLANTING SPRUCE BY THE CENTER HOLE TECHNIQUE 



Seeds may be planted dircctlv into newly ])lowed furrows. As a precaution against unnec- 

 essary soil loss, the furrows should be plowed on level lines, that is. crosswise to the slope. 

 For large shrub niul tree species, tiic furrows should be about six feet a])art and for small 

 shrubs, about four feet. 



For herbaceous cover, the seeding may be done by sini])]\ disking with the usual farm disk- 

 ing-harrow in order to prepare a good seed bed. 



The germination of conifer seed is stimulated by exposing the Miiiici;il soil liy ploughing 

 the furrows. When seed trees are present, natural seeding in the furrows will usually suffice 

 but, if not. then seeds of the desired species may be planted in iheiii. This practice is still in 

 the experimental stage and will require a great deal more study before the teehnieal details 



iiMjiiiri'd to obtain successful growth cmii lie lui'diilid willi ;in\ a<'ciira(\. 



The jxtssibilities of establishing hardwoods liv similar direct seeding methods are even less 

 well known today. Certain types of liariiwond shrubs can be grown by direct seeding on 



