ESTABLISHING FORESTS BY DIRECT SEEDING 221 



methods are practiced than formerly, and sowing in spots without 

 preliminary working of the soil has been almost entirely aban- 

 doned. 1 



Sowing in spots is well adapted to rough sites or those covered 

 with stones, stumps, logs, and other obstructions which prohibit 

 the use of horses in working the soil. Where it is necessary to work 

 the soil by hand labor, it is the best and least expensive method 

 of direct seeding. More attention can be given to the clearing 

 away of the ground cover and the working or loosening of the soil 

 on the spots where the seed is sown, as the cost is less than in pre- 

 paring the site for full seeding or for sowing in strips or lines 

 because the area cultivated in proportion to the total is much 

 smaller. 



Seed spots vary greatly in size, form, and distance apart, depend- 

 ing upon the species and the conditions of the site. In size they 

 vary from 4 to 6 feet on a side to mere openings a few inches in 

 diameter. They are usually made square or rectangular in form, 

 but are sometimes irregular. The spacing is dependent upon 

 the size of the seed spot, as well as the species and site. They 

 are distributed over the area as regularly as practicable. Irregu- 

 larities are justifiable, however, when necessary to secure the 

 best places for the seed. 



Successful regeneration from seeding in spots depends upon 

 the species, the site, and the thoroughness with which the soil is 

 prepared. It is usually most successful under an open overwood 

 where the soil is comparatively free from surface vegetation and 

 on recently lumbered areas. It is least successful on dry, thin, 

 leachy soils covered with surface vegetation. On comparatively 

 clean, loose soils in regions of sufficient soil moisture, it is not 

 customary to loosen or otherwise prepare the soil prior to seeding. 

 The seed is scattered on the seed spots and covered by means 

 of a rake or hoe. Seed spots are usually prepared at the time of 

 seeding or but a few days before. On sour or heavy soils, how- 

 ever, the spots should be cleared of surface vegetation in the 

 autumn and the soil thoroughly loosened and left to cure over 

 winter. 



14. LARGE SEED SPOTS. Large seed spots are sometimes 

 useful on moderately clean soils under an open overwood. They 



1 Greeley, W. B. : Reforestation on the national forests. (Proc. Soc. Am. 

 For., vol. VIII, p. 265. 1913.) 



