SEEDING FOREST TREES. 81 



upon in distances of about three feet, furrows about 4 

 inches deep are opened with a small plow, and the acorns 

 or nuts placed therein, from three to 4 inches apart. 

 This culture requires about four bushels of seed to the 

 acre. Still less seed is needed when it is put in with a 

 drill, the teeth of which should run from 3 to 4 inches 

 deep. Make the rows three feet distant, and deposit the 

 seed from three to four inches apart. In this case there 

 are only from 2 to 2 1 /, bushels consumed. 



In regard to the number of bushels of seed used in 

 seeding large tracts, due regard should be given to the 

 size of the kernels, the above named number of bushels 

 being calculated only for the largest acorns or nuts. 

 When using smaller sized nuts or acorns, the said quan- 

 tity of seeds should be decreased proportionately. As for the 

 proper depth to cover the seeds of nut-bearing trees, the 

 quality of the soil plays an important part in it. In a 

 close, heavy soil a thinner covering is required than in a 

 ligh t, gravely or sandy. While a depth of from 2 to 3 

 inches is quite sufficient to make the seeds germinate in 

 the former, it will do them good, if covered in the latter, 

 as deep as from 4 to 5 inches ; and this depth is usually 

 resorted to when the seeds are sown broadcast over an 

 uncultivated field with light soil, and plowed under. 



(c) Beds for Beeches. 



The seed-beds for the Beech tree are treated precisely 

 like the foregoing, except that the leaves' cover remains 

 unremoved for a longer time, to prevent too early a 

 germination of the seed, the young plants being very 

 susceptible to frost. Besides, these plants require much 

 protection, at least for the first year, against excess of air 

 and sun-light. It is, therefore, advisable to locate them 

 so as to shelter the young plants against the south side. 

 If this cannot be done, then pine boughs should be 



