DIRECT SOWING. 51 



is better to drain too little than too much ; in many 

 cases the forester will do well to be satisfied with a 

 species which will grow in moist or wet soil, rather 

 than endanger the proper development of valuable 

 species growing on adjoining lands. 



Irrigation may become necessary where the soil is 

 excessively dry. It is an expensive operation, and the 

 necessary outlay will only be recouped in special 

 cases. 



Manuring hardly ever occurs, except in nurseries, 

 because it is too expensive compared with the increase 

 in the returns which it is likely to secure. 



N 



b. Time of Sowing. 



Nature sows in autumn in the case of most species 

 growing in temperate Europe, in some cases in sum- 

 mer, and in others in winter or spring ; hence no abso- 

 lute guide is given as to the best time for sowing. Of 

 the naturally sown seed a large portion, while lying 

 over winter, is eaten by animals, or perishes through 

 adverse influences of the weather, so, that only a small 

 portion actually germinates in spring. In artificial 

 sowings the seed must be carefully husbanded, hence it 

 should be done at the most favourable season for germi- 

 nation, namely when the soil is sufficiently moist and 

 when sufficient heat is available. The best time for 

 sowing in temperate Europe is during April and May, 

 according to the local climate. 



The above rule is subject to exceptions, because 

 some seeds will keep in good condition only for a very 

 short period, or their preservation involves much trouble 



E 2 



