THE FOREST NURSERY 267 



up the compact surface soil of autumn-sown beds in the early spring 

 before the seed germinates. 



6. Methods of Seeding. Seedbeds are sown broadcast or in 

 drills. There is much controversy regarding the advantages and 

 disadvantages of each. Broadcast seeding is chiefly practiced in 

 sowing conifers and small-seeded broadleaved species in seed- 

 beds that are covered prior to germination and the young seed- 

 lings protected by shading. Drill seeding is the general practice 

 in sowing in the open large-seeded broadleaved species, such as 

 chestnut, oak, and hickory. Until recently the drill seeding of coni- 

 fers was extensively practiced in the nurseries on the National 

 Forests. In recent years, however, this practice has largely given 

 way to broadcast seeding. In most localities and under average 

 conditions the latter is the less expensive and better method. 

 Much depends, however, upon the species, climate, and soil con- 

 ditions under which the trees are grown. 



The chief advantage in broadcast seeding is the much larger 

 number of plants that it is possible to produce per given area of seed- 

 bed and the resulting decreased cost of production. For this reason 

 broadcast seeding is preferable on the ordinary nursery soils, 

 such as sand and loam, that have adequate water supply when 

 the stock remains in the seedbed only one or two years. When 

 it is necessary to hold the stock over for an additional year 

 after it has reached the most suitable size for lifting, drill seeding 

 makes the checking of growth by wrenching or root pruning 

 easier to accomplish. Drill seeding is usually preferable on heavy 

 soils as it renders cultivation possible, thus facilitating the en- 

 trance into the soil of both air and water. 1 



The following advantages in drill seeding under special condi- 

 tions of soil and climate may overbalance the economic advantage 

 usually possible in broadcast seeding. 



a. More complete germination is usually attainable. 



b. The cultivation and loosening of the soil is possible. 



c. Damping-off can be better controlled through cultivation. 



d. Irrigation is not so essential. 



e. Root pruning can be better accomplished. 



7. SEEDING IN DRILLS. After the beds have been rolled or 

 otherwise smoothed, drills of suitable depth and width are made 



1 Bates, C. G. and Pierce, R. G.: Forestation of the sand hills of Nebraska 

 and Kansas. (U. S. Forest Service, Bui. 121, p. 30. 1913.) 



