PLANTING. 107 



rake, or by scattering fine earth, compost, turf -ashes, etc., 

 over it to the required depth. In any case it is desirable 

 to press the covering down, best by passing a light 

 roller over the bed. 



Sowing should only be done during suitable weather, 

 that is to say when the soil is of the desired degree of 

 dryness. The actual method of sowing depends on the 

 species. By way of illustration some of the methods 

 followed in Britain are here added : 



Heavy seeds, such as Oak. Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, 

 Horse-chestnut, etc., are generally sown in lines which 

 are from 12 to 15 inches apart. The seeds are either 

 sown in drills about 2 inches deep and covered by earth 

 drawn over them with a rake ; or they are placed on 

 the surface and then covered with earth taken from the 

 space between the rows. In the latter case the seed- 

 rows form slightly elevated ridges. Seeds of the above- 

 mentioned kinds may either be sown in autumn soon 

 after being gathered, or they may be kept over winter in 

 airy places, where they are occasionally turned and 

 perhaps also mixed with some sand. 



Beech nuts are treated similarly, but the covering 

 should not exceed f of an inch; they are sown more 

 frequently in spring than in autumn. 



Maple seed is sown, soon after gathering, in lines as 

 before, mostly on the surface and covered with soil to 

 a depth not exceeding f- of an inch. 



Elm seed is sown immediately after it has become 

 ripe, at the end of May or beginning of June, 

 generally in lines about a foot apart; its covering 

 should consist of fine earth placed over it of a thickness 

 not exceeding of an inch. 



