108 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



Alder and Birch seeds are generally sown broadcast in 

 early spring, and covered with ^ to ^ of an inch of fine 

 mould in the case of Alder, and somewhat less for Birch. 



The seeds of Ash, Hornbeam, and Thorn are mixed 

 with sand and kept from 15 to 18 months in a pit, 

 where they are occasionally moistened and turned. They 

 are sown in early spring of the second year, together 

 with the sand in which they rested; they receive a 

 covering not exceeding f of an inch. 



Larch, Spruce, Scotch Pine, and various other conifers 

 are sown broadcast in spring on carefully prepared 

 beds. They are sown on the surface and then covered 

 with fine earth ; frequently the process consists in 

 scraping a sufficient quantity of soil from the surface 

 of the bed to both edges, then sowing the seed and raking 

 back the earth from the sides towards the centre of 

 the bed. After thoroughly smoothing the surface, a 

 light roller is passed over the bed. 



k. Quality and Quantity of Seed. 



Considering the heavy expenditure involved in laying 

 out nurseries, none but seed of the best quality should 

 be used. 



The quantity of seed to be sown on a given area 

 depends on the species and the time during which the 

 seedlings are to remain in the seed-bed. Too dense 

 sowing causes the seedlings to grow up lanky, while too 

 thin sowing involves loss of area and consequently 

 increases the cost. If the seedlings are to go direct 

 from the seed-bed into the forest, the quantity of 

 seed should be about one-half of that sown when the 

 seedlings are to be pricked out in the nursery. 



