DIRECT SOWING. 5B 



The interval of time between the sowing and sprout- 

 ing depends on the species, the age of the seed, and the 

 conditions of germination. 



Species. Good seed sown in spring, under average 

 conditions, may be expected to sprout after a lapse of 

 time ranging from a week up to two and even three 

 years. The following data may be taken as illustra- 

 tions : 



Poplars and Willows . . after about 10 days. 



Elm H- M 1020 days. 



Birch . . . . ,, 2 3 weeks. 



Scotch Pine, Black Pine, 



Wey mouth Pine, and Larch ,, ,, 3 4 

 Spruce, Silver Fir \ . ,, 3 5 ,, 

 Oak, Beech, Maple, and Alder ,, ,, 4 6 ,, 



Ash, Lime, Hornbeam, and Cembran Pine generally 

 after one year, Yew after one and often two and 

 even three years. 



Age of Seed. Fresh seed germinates always quicker 

 than old, the latter sometimes not until the second year. 



The time of sprouting depends much on the conditions 

 to which the seed is subject; a heavy covering retards 

 germination ; warm soil and sufficient moisture produce 

 quicker sprouting than cold soil or drought. 



Seeds are sometimes specially treated with the object 

 of accelerating the sprouting. Amongst the various 

 methods which have been recommended, the following 

 may be mentioned : soaking in water, ranging from 

 an hour to a week ; treatment with lime water or highly 

 diluted hydrochloric acid; steaming; soaking in liquid 

 manure. Apart from the first mentioned, great care 



