234 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



h. Formation of Woods. 



Beech is specially adapted for natural regeneration by 

 seed under shelter- woods, if the cuttings are arranged in 

 a suitable manner. Direct sowing and planting can also 

 be done, but the young crop must be sheltered whenever 

 late frosts and drought are apprehended. 



The seed ripens in October, and falls shortly after- 

 wards, retaining its germinating power for about six 

 months. Up to 80 or 90 per cent, have been found to 

 germinate, but it is considered good seed if at least 

 50 per cent, germinate. One pound of seed contains, on 

 an average, about 2000 nuts. 



Direct sowings may be made in autumn or spring ; in 

 the former case the seeds are liable to attacks by animals, 

 and the seedlings, owing to their early sprouting, to 

 damage by spring frosts ; in the latter case the nuts must 

 be kept in an airy place or shed, and turned over periodi- 

 cally (during dry weather towards spring it may be 

 slightly sprinkled with water to prevent drying up). If 

 sown in spring, the nuts sprout after four to six weeks. 

 About 150 pounds of seed per acre are required for broad- 

 cast sowings, and proportionally less for partial sowings. 

 The nuts receive a covering of three-quarters of an inch 

 on soil of middling density, somewhat more on loose and 

 a little less on heavy soil. 



In nurseries, the seed is generally sown in drills. The 

 seedlings may be left in the seed bed for two years, when 

 they are pricked out in lines, the latter being from 12 to 

 24 inches apart, and the plants in the lines from 4 to 

 8 inches. When the plants have stood two years in the 

 lines, being then altogether four years old, they are 



