482 forestry Quarterly. 



species like oak, dibbled in, singly. Partial seeding is preferred 

 because it uses less seed, requires less soil preparation, and offers 

 a better opportunity for the development of the individual plant. 

 To counteract the increased danger of choking by weeds or grass, 

 the seed is never sown up to the outermost edge of the prepared 

 places nor on the prepared strips made less than ten inches wide. 



The best practice tends to sow rather large amounts of seed 

 per acre but never more than is necessary to ensure a fair stand ; 

 for experience has shown that it is easier, cheaper and better 

 to fill possible fail places from a local excess of seedlings rather 

 than to be forced to an unprofitable early weeding, or cleaning 

 of a too dense stand. 



The following table gives the amounts commonly used for the 

 principal species. This is on the basis of broadcasting; for par- 

 tial seeding the actual area to be sown is calculated and 10-20% 

 of the tabulated amount added since partial seeding is always 

 denser than is broadcasting: 



Oak 3.0 to 9.0 bushels 



Beech 3.0 to 5.0 bushels 



Maple and ash (wingless) 34.0 to 43.0 pounds 



Spruce 6.0 to 9.0 pounds 



Fir 42.0 to 54.0 pounds 



Scotch Pine (P. silvestris) 6.5 to 7.5 pounds 



Austrian pine (P. Austriaca) ii.o to 13.0 pounds 



Larch 13.0 to 15.0 pounds 



In case the wings have not been removed from the seed 30- 

 50% more is reckoned. 



Soil preparation is considered a sine qua non for success in 

 direct seeding. With broadcasting, the entire area must be pre- 

 pared, more or less, whereas in partial seeding the prepared area 

 is much smaller, hence can be prepared far more economically. 



As a preliminary step, all weeds, dense brush and grass growth 

 are removed. When dry, these obstacles are sometimes cleared 

 away by lightly burning over the area. The next step aims to 

 remove all mat-like covering of grass-sod, dense mosses, or lay- 

 ers of raw humus. This is usually done by means of a hoe. 

 Where possible, this material also is burned and the resulting 

 ash scattered over the seeding area. 



