228 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



that incurred in planting on similar sites. When the area is 

 free from surface vegetation and the ground is loosened only to a 

 depth of 2 or 3 inches, an experienced workman will make and 

 sow from 250 to 400 seed spots per hour. Under extremely ad- 

 verse conditions this number may be reduced to 50 or even less. 

 As only from one-fourth to one-eighth as much seed is used as in 

 full seeding, the cost of the seed is usually low. Thus, white pine 

 sown in seed spots spaced at 6-foot intervals 

 with from 25 to 30 seeds per spot requires but 1 

 pound of seed per acre. The cost of seeding in 

 small seed spots including the cost of the seed 

 but excluding reseeding or planting failed places is 

 usually from $2.50 to $5 per acre. 



17. Dibbling or Seeding in Holes. Large 

 seeds such as walnut, hickory, chestnut, and oak 

 are sometimes sown 1 or 2 in a place in small 

 holes made with the dibble or with similar imple- 

 ments. The tool is inserted into the ground to 

 the required depth, withdrawn, and 1 or more 

 seeds placed in the opening. Among special tools 

 should be mentioned the acorn planter (Fig. 45), 

 with which oblique openings are made in the 

 ground. The seeds lie on the side and are in better 

 position for germination and the openings are more 

 completely and more easily closed by pressure of 

 the feet than are those made with the ordinary 

 dibble. 



Several types of hand corn planters have been 

 FIG 45 \corn extens i ye ly use ^ i n the direct seeding of conifers 

 planter on the National Forests (Fig. 46). The eclipse 

 planter which can be adjusted for various sizes of 

 seed and for sowing the requisite number has been more generally 

 used than others. It permits of very rapid work, as 1 workman 

 can seed from | to 1 acre per hour when the seed is sown at 

 6-foot intervals. In operating the corn planter the seeds pass 

 from the implement in a compact cluster and are forced into the 

 soil with an iron plunger. When the soil is loose and free of surface 

 vegetation, the seed is well covered. When compact or covered 

 with surface vegetation, it is insufficiently covered. The plunger 

 is likely to crush the seed on compact soil. Small seeds such as 



