Seed Sowing 13 



trained men, and grows them by the hundred thousand each sea- 

 son. While time is being spent on the few transplants, some far 

 more important farm-business may be neglected. The chances 

 are ten to one that at some time diiring the period of growth the 

 water-can will be forgotten for a day or two and the whole batch 

 i;erish, or, just at the moment when pricking out should be done, 

 something else of far greater importance prevents the work being 

 (ione. The right time for the first transplanting once past the 

 work cannot be done well later. NO ! We say emphatically that 

 only where a very large proposition is under way, and a special 

 man engaged for the work, is it wise for farmers to worry about 

 growing their own transplants. 



But there are some farms situated at such a distance from rail- 

 ways that it is impossible to get them transported from the 

 Nurseries. Such farms are just as much in need of trees as 

 (hose enjoying easier transport facilities, and for these we must 

 briefly describe the best methods of growing the commoner trees 

 from seeds. 



The seed boxes, or tins, should be about four inches deep, and 

 of such a size that they can be lifted about easily. Durability 

 is not very essential unless they are intended for use more than 

 once, for they should be finished within a few months. Punch 

 or bore six or eight holes in the bottom of the box, and place 

 about an inch of good drainage. On this put two and a half 

 inches of good and rather sandy soil, which should be carefully 

 levelled and pressed firmly down. It is now ready for the seed. 

 The very small Eucalyptus seeds should be sprinkled very thinly 

 on the surface. Cypress seeds may be counted and about three 

 hundred sown in each square foot. Pine seeds are larger, and 

 may be lightly pressed in at equal distances of say an inch apart. 

 Seeds of other trees will be sown on the same general basis, vary- 

 in/r with the size of the seed. The covering may be pure sand, 

 light sifted old manure, or sandy soil. The depth of covering 

 will be in proportion to the size of the seeds, from one-eighth of 

 an inch for the small seeded Gums to an inch for the stout Pine. 

 We like to water the soil well before sowing the seed, and then 

 give a sprinkling to moisten the covering after the sowing i* 

 finished. After waterings will depend largely upon the weather 

 and other conditions, such as shade, but no water should be given 

 as long as the soil seems mo:st, and then only through a very 

 fine rose. The common cheap watercan is specially made to- 

 destroy young plants, and the " Haw's Pattern " can should be 

 used alwayvS. 



Shade may be fairly heavy until the young plants appear, but 

 immediately growth begins this should be only partial. Too much 

 shade will cause them to become long and weak and worthless, 

 and we want short and stocky plants. Gradually remove all 

 shade and finish them off in the open. 



Great care will be needed to avoid the many insect pests which 

 are so plentiful in a farm-yard or garden. Slugs may be kept out 



