218 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



10. Seeding in Strips. In this manner of regeneration 

 seeded strips of varying width alternate with unseeded ones. 

 Its advantages over full seeding are less cost for seed and de- 

 creased labor where clearance and soil cultivation are necessary. 

 The width of the seeded strip usually varies from 2 to 4 feet, 

 depending upon the species and the site, particularly the character 

 of the soil and the cover. The strips should be sufficiently wide 

 to prevent the young seedlings from being unduly crowded by 

 the growth on the alternating unseeded strips. The spaces be- 

 tween the seeded strips should be from 4 to 6 feet wide. If wider, 

 the trees are likely to be too unevenly distributed and they fail to 

 grow erect because of the excess of side light. 



Strip seeding can be practiced most advantageously on sites 

 that permit of more or less thorough soil preparation. It cannot 

 be practiced where there is an excessive amount of litter or woody 

 vegetation on the ground. Where conditions permit, the strips 

 are best and most economically prepared for seeding by turning 

 a series of shallow furrows and by harrowing the plowed soil until 

 in suitable tilth. The seed is usually scattered by hand and cov- 

 ered by hand-raking. When the strips are cultivated and free 

 from obstructions and surface vegetation seeding machines may 

 be used as in full seeding. A well-selected branch with numerous 

 side limbs drawn over the seeded strip is best for covering small 

 seed. 



Instead of broadcasting small seed on cultivated strips it may 

 be sown in three or more parallel rows. The trees in the interior 

 rows, crowded by the side rows, grow erect and clear themselves 

 of side branches. 



11. Seeding in Lines. Under conditions that permit the 

 plowing of furrows, seeding in lines is one of the least expensive 

 methods of partial seeding. Single furrows are turned at inter- 

 vals of from 3 to 6 feet and the seed sown along the furrows in 

 single lines. It is a method better adapted for the regeneration 

 of walnut, hickory, oak, and other large-seeded species than for 

 the regeneration of conifers and small-seeded hardwoods. The 

 seed is usually sown along the furrows at intervals of from 1 to 4 

 feet. As usually practiced one workman goes ahead dropping 

 the seed on the fresh upturned soil and another follows and covers 

 it. The ordinary hoe is the best implement to use in covering the 

 seed. Large seeds are dropped, mostly, one in a place, at closely 



