116 PRACTICAL FORESTRY 
the seed is sown in strips or patches, and not broad- 
cast. In almost every woods there are small patches 
which might be successfully and easily seeded with 
desirable species. 
A good plan is to dibble in the seed here and 
there. A dibble is a pointed instrument of iron or 
wood, with a crosspiece arranged so that it will not 
enter the soil beyond a certain depth. The seed is 
dropped into the hole, which is easily and quickly 
closed with the heel of one’s boot. Dibbling might 
be advantageously practised in many of our forests. 
It is an easy and efficient method of gradually im- 
proving a stand by the introduction of more desira- 
ble species here and there. The dibbling in of teak 
seed has been practised with considerable success 
in India. 
Sowing may be done in fall or spring. Nature 
usually sows in the fall. Spring is probably better 
because the seed is not exposed to the dangers of the 
winter. Some seeds sprout in the summer soon after 
they fall. 
On the whole, however, sowing is not satisfactory, 
and in general it is better to depend either on the 
planting of young trees or natural regeneration. 
The advantages of planting, that is, the forma- 
tion of forests by the use of little plants or cuttings 
which have been raised elsewhere, are not fully appre- 
