METHODS OF NURSERY WORK. 95 



free circulation of air, which is a matter of the greatest importance 

 to plant growth. To this alone is probably due the increased 

 vigour of growth. In broadcast sowing it is not possible to keep 

 the soil in such good condition, and it is quite common on many 

 soils to find the surface coated with a form of moss or liverwort 

 which renders the soil impervious to air. On soils given to 

 frost lifting, a layer of leaf-mould or of prepared cinders placed 

 between the rows will act as a preventive. Finally, in lifting 

 the plants there is considerably less mutilation of the roots. 



The illustration (Plate IX. Fig. i) will of itself explain the method 

 of sowing, but the following remarks may be useful : — The ground 

 on which the seeds are to be sown is prepared in the usual way, 

 and the beds formed at a width of 4 feet with an alley between. 

 The roller shown in Fig. x is then drawn over the beds, and so 

 forms the grooves in which the seeds are sown. These grooves 

 are formed by laths, i^ inches broad by § inch deep, fixed on 

 the roller at intervals of 4^ inches. In these grooves the necessary 

 amount of seed is sown by means of a sowing-lath. 



The seed-box is 4 feet long, quite narrow, and has a round 

 bottom. The sowing-lath has a groove in it which is regulated 

 to lift the necessary amount of seed and is worked by two men, 

 one at each end. 



The depth at which the seeds are sown is a most important 

 matter. We have noticed that the laths fixed on the roller are 

 f of an inch thick, so that the covering on the seed is regulated 

 to this depth. If greater depth or wider space be required the 

 laths can be altered to suit circumstances. 



The covering consists of soil prepared by being passed through 

 a ^-inch riddle, and is put on in the same way as the seeds are 

 sown, the lath used being of a size to lift the proper amount of 

 soil covering. 



To complete the operation the plain roller shown in the back- 

 ground of Fig. I is drawn over the beds. 



By this method the seeds are sown at an even depth, which 

 insures an even germination and consequently an even size of 

 plants. 



When the plants have reached their second year's growth they 

 are transplanted in nursery lines. Several species, however, are 

 transplanted as i-year seedlings. The object in transplanting 

 is to encourage the formation of fibrous rootlets. The welfare of 

 the plants depends on the state of the roots, it is therefore obvious 



