PLANTING. 99 



The site should, if possible, be so chosen, that water 

 can be led on to it from a spring or stream, or that at any 

 rate water may be found at a reasonable depth for the con- 

 struction of a well. 



b. Area. 



JH. 



This depends on the species, the method of treatment, 

 the number of plants, whether they are pricked out or 

 not, and the age at which they are finally rdjjnoved. It is 

 clear that no general rule can be given. By way of illus- 

 tration it may be mentioned tfyat for raising two-year-old 

 seedlings of Scotch Pine or Spruce, the area of the 

 nursery should be about \ per cent, of the area to be 

 annually planted at 4 feet apart ; if the two-year-old 

 seedlings are pricked out, and remain for another two 

 years, the nursery should comprise at least 4% of the area 

 to be planted annually. 



Where broad-leaved species are raised, such as Oak or 

 Beech, the percentage is rather higher. It increases 

 very rapidly with the age of the plants ; for instance in 

 the case of twice pricked out Oaks, which are planted 

 out at the age of 9 years at 10 feet apart, the area would 

 amount to not less than 30%* of the area to be planted 

 annually. 



c. Shape. 



Whenever a free choice is possible, the shape of the 

 nursery should be that of a square or rectangle, because 

 it admits of a regular rectangular shape being given to 

 the seed beds without waste of area. The latter consi- 

 deration more than compensates for the small extra 

 outlay on fencing, as compared with a circular shape. 



* According to Heyer. 



H * 



