3 8 FORESTRY 



Testing of Seeds 



The quality of seed may be judged to some extent by 

 close inspection, helped by the cutting open of a considerable 

 number. But the only reliable test is that of germination. 

 For finding the germinative power of seed many contrivances 

 have been devised, from the simple earthenware dish or 

 moistened blotting-paper to fairly complicated apparatus ; for 

 work on an extensive scale the most desirable forms of seed- 

 tester are those of Nobbe and Steiner. In testing, the 

 operator must always keep in mind that besides moisture, 

 seeds require for their germination a favourable degree of 

 warmth and a supply of fresh air. 



Season for Sowing 



To sow, as nature does, just when seed becomes ripe, is 

 not possible in the forest except in autumn and in spring ; 

 but in the nursery during suitable weather one can sow at 

 any season. Owing to the many dangers, especially mice 

 and birds, that beset seed lying in the ground over winter, 

 spring sowing is generally preferred. Still, for Silver Fir, 

 Oak, and Beech, autumn has much to recommend it. From 

 the time of inserting the seed, trapping should be proceeded 

 with in order to lessen the damage by mice. 



Methods of Sowing 



The method of sowing depends largely upon the state of 

 the soil and its previous cultivation. Broadcast sowing, 

 whereby the .whole of the ground is sown, may be resorted 

 to, or partial sowings may be preferred by drills, 'in strips, 

 in prepared patches, or, in the case of large seeds, by 

 dibbling. Broadcast sowing is best carried out by distribut- 

 ing the seed half in one direction, half in the other, at right 

 angles to the first, either by hand, as is usual, or with the 

 aid of a sowing machine. Machines, in the form of drill- 



