FORESTATION PRACTICE IN NORWAY ^ 



Sowing or Planting 



According to Lindberg, there are several advantages of direct seed- 

 ing over planting in Norway, namely : 



1. No critical period follows the introduction of sown stock in the 

 field, since the plants are accustomed to the local conditions from the 

 start. 



2. On sown areas, through natural selection, the best plants survive, 

 which does not take place in plantations, it being impracticable to select 

 the best plants at the age of field planting. 



3. As a rule, the loss of a few plants in the sown area does not count, 

 while in plantations fail places must be filled by replanting. 



4. Carelessness is apt to be more dangerous in planting than in sow- 

 ing, the results of the former often being evident only after several 

 years have passed. 



5. Seeding is about 40 per cent cheaper than planting, even with 

 seed prices as high as 20 krona per kilogram. 



The arguments of the supporters of planting have not always been 

 borne out by experience. However, direct seeding should be avoided 

 on sites and in soils where frost-heaving occurs. The action of frost 

 in lifting out seedlings is described in considerable detail. The danger 

 is shown to be greater on fine-grained soils, while the presence of plant 

 cover and litter reduces the danger. Even planting on such sites should 

 be somewhat deeper than usual to reduce liability of frost-lifting. 



Planting is recommended : 



1. On sites where frost-heaving is troublesome. 



2. On very stony soil. 



3. Where plant cover is extremely rank. 



4. On very dry, wind-swept and sunny sites. 



Sowing is generally advised for all other conditions, and is particu- 

 larly suited for pine with its rather deep root system, being somewhat 

 less suited for spruce-fir with its more superficial root habit. 



Preparation of Clearings for Soimng or Planting 



Promising advance growth is usually left, that overtopped by hard- 

 woods being liberated. The larger remaining trunks of deciduous trees 



^ Based on Om Barrtriidskultiirer i Norrland. By Ferd. Lindberg. 

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