THE ART OF THE SECOND GROWTH 



row trenches may be pressed into the beds or banks with the help 

 of a board, a hoe handle or a wheel. 



The seed is usually sown by hand, possibly with the help of 

 a beer bottle, a so-called seed horn, or with a seed-planting machine. 

 The machine should be used on ground as well prepared as a seed- 

 bed in a nursery. ♦ 



" 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 imder excessive exposure to the air. The 

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

 dons through the cover easily. 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 unadvisable as long as the prices of seeds maintain their 

 present level. 



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

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

 groimd and stirred periodically, by sheep, with good results. 



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

 usually dibbled with a 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 

 allowing a lifted sod to drop back into place. The common plant- 

 ing spade 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 

 requires two-thirds or three-fourths of broadcast amount; planting 

 in patches one-half, in seedspots one-fourth of the quantity required 

 for broadcasting. 



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