FORKSTATIOX PRACTJCK IX NORWAY 95 



After sowing, the seed is tamped into the soil of the seed-spot with 

 the foot, unless the soil is so wet that the seeds adhere to the shoes. 

 The cover soil, well crumbled with the hands, is scattered over the seed 

 to a depth of lo to 15 mm., but not packed under any circumstances. 

 While this loose upper soil layer readily dries out, it is a poor con- 

 ductor of water upward from below and conserves moisture. It per- 

 mits even a light precipitation to enter the seed-spot and prevents crust 

 formation. Frost action, too, is less marked in loose soil. On top of 

 the cover soil should be scattered litter and leaf debris, which shade 

 the soil and preserve the moisture content beneath without hindering 

 the young plants. A large stone or piece of wood placed on the south 

 side of the seed-spot protects it from the sun and, when the area is not 

 fenced, from cattle also. Laying tree branches o\'er the plots is ad- 

 vised against. It may result in hindered or crippled development of 

 the young trees. The seed-spot is located on the north side of stumps 

 and stones, where the latter are present, so as to permit shading during 

 the hottest period of the day. 



A crew of 8 to 10 men, with one sower for every 4 to 5 hoers, is 

 recommended. Such a crew, using a 1.5 m. square spacing, will sow 

 about I ha. per day. 



Brief mention is made of certain horse-drawn implements for pre- 

 paring the soil of areas to be sown by the seed-spot method. 



Choice of Seed 



"Pine seed should always be used from the region itself, or, if this 

 is impossible, from localities with similar climatic conditions. . . . 

 If necessary from circumstances to take seed from another source, one 

 should never take pine seed from a more southerly or climatically 

 better region, but rather from a more northerly or climatically worse 

 region." Pine from southerly sources may develop well at first, but 

 later their unsuitability to the climatic conditions is revealed. "With a 

 probability — bordering on certainty — it can be maintained that the lack 

 of success in the greater part of the older sowings in Xorrland is due 

 to improper seed source." 



Source of seed appears to play a less important part with s])ruce and 

 fir. While German pine seed is very undesirable, it is permissible, pro- 

 vided no home-grown seed is available, to use German spruce and fir 

 seed from Harz. Thuringia. and the Bohmerwald, in the southern part 

 of Sweden. The importance of collecting seed from health\- stock is 

 emphasized. 



