814 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



h. Formation of Woods. 



Larch may be planted on clear cuttings ; rarely sown ; 

 in favourable localities it can also be naturally regene- 

 rated. 



The seed ripens in October or November, and begins 

 to fall in the following spring ; some of it remains in 

 the cones until the spring of the second year, or even 

 longer. The empty cones remain for several years on 

 the trees. The germinating power is maintained from 

 2 to 4 years. If 35 per cent, germinate it is considered 

 good seed. One pound of seed contains about 75,000 

 clean grains. 



Direct sowings are made in spring, about 14 pounds 

 of seed per acre being required for broadcast sowings ; 

 it receives a covering of about one-third of an inch, and 

 it germinates after three or four weeks, if the seed is 

 fresh; old seed germinates very irregularly. Direct 

 sowings are rarely made. 



In nurseries the seed may be sown broadcast or in 

 drills. British nurserymen generally sow broadcast, 

 about one pound of seed per 100 square feet of seed- 

 bed. The seedlings are pricked out when one year old, 

 or not at all. Plantings are done with two-year-old 

 seedlings, or with transplants after they have stood one 

 or two years in the nursery lines. Older plants are 

 rarely used. In Britain the method of planting is 

 generally notching ; pit planting is also done. Planting 

 must be done early in spring or in autumn, as the 

 Larch sprouts very early. 



Owing to its great light-requirement, the tree is not 

 really suited for natural regeneration by seed ; but if 



