NURSERY MANAGEMENT 



55 



seed ; while the number of plants finally obtained fit to go 

 into the forest at three or four years old, depends greatly on the 

 weather and treatment. A large number of those that ger- 

 minate will be lost through overcrowding in the seed-beds, and 

 many plants are, for one reason and another, not worth putting 

 out. Bad plants, or culls, should always be thrown away. 



With regard to the thickness of sowing, it is a mistake to 

 have the seed too crowded on the ground, as the seedlings get 

 drawn up and have insufficient root space. The figures given 

 above are on the assumption that the seedlings will remain 

 two years in the bed ; if they are to be lifted at the end of the 

 first year, or if a test has shown that the seed has a bad ger- 



