SYLVICULTURE. 



" Covering " purports to place or rather press the seeds into 

 contact with the mineral soil on all sides; to prevent sudden 

 changes of air temperature from striking the seed; to prevent the 

 seeds from drying out under excessive exposure to the air. The 

 cover must be such as to allow a young germ to push its cotyle- 

 dons easily through the cover. The seeds keeping their cotyledons 

 below ground (Oaks, Sassafras, Chestnut) allow of a heavy cover. 



In the case of coniferous seeds, a proper cover is secured with 

 the rake or with a brush drag; or by marching the planters, a 

 band of sheep or a herd of cattle over the plantation. Heavy seeds 

 are often strewn on the ground without any preparation and then 

 covered with a shovelful of dirt. In America seed-planting in the 

 open is an unadvisable measure as long as the prices of seeds 

 maintain their present figure. 



" Planting of cones " was the leading method used a hundred 

 years ago by European foresters. The cones were strewn on the 

 ground and stirred periodically by sheep, with good results. 



Seeds more than one-quarter inch thick, especially nuts, are 

 usually dibbled with dibbling hammer, wedge, knife, hoe, spade, etc. 

 The hole made should place the seed at the best depth. The hole 

 is closed by side pressure, by the foot or the hammer, or by allow- 

 ing a lifted sod to drop back in place. The common planting spade 

 often puts the seeds too deep. 



A. The quantity of seeds used per acre depends on : 

 Price of seed. 



Density of stand desired. 



Tenderness, sensitiveness and rate of growth of species. 



Local damage from late frost, drought, weeds, insects, mice, 

 squirrels, rabbits, game, birds, etc. 



Quality of both soil and seeds. 



Fineness of prepared soil. 



Method of planting by hand or machine, regular or irregular, 

 broadcast or in patchwork. Planting seeds in bands or strips 

 o'nly requires two-thirds or three-fourths of broadcast amount; 

 planting in patches one-half, in holes one-fourth of the same? 



B. Figures adopted at Biltmore for broadcast planting are, per 

 acre: 



White Oak and Chestnut Oak, 12 bu. 

 Red Oak and Black Oak, 8 bu. 

 Ash, 40 Ibs. 

 Beech, 130 Ibs. 

 Maple, 40 Ibs. 



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