PLANTING THE SEED. 41 



leave the kernel uninjured. If this breaking process does 

 not take place, that seed is not fit to plant the first season. 



When the seed has been thus taken up, sifted, shelled, 

 and deposited in baskets, it is ready to be carried to the 

 nursery to be planted. If the sun is warm, or the wind 

 dry, or both, the baskets are covered with damp cloths 

 or matting, in order to keep the seed from being injured 

 by the exposure. It is always advisable to keep the seed 

 in the baskets in about the same temperature and hu- 

 midity it was before, as all sudden changes have a tend- 

 ency to injure or destroy it. 



It is planted, in the rows already marked out, at about 

 two inches and a half apart. It may be closer or more 

 distant. If large trees are desired, a greater distance will 

 be advisable ; but if number and not size is the object 

 sought, two inches will^do, especially if stimulating fertil- 

 izers are used. This close planting, however, we do not 

 recommend. 



Small lads are usually employed to drop the seed, and 

 when clever ones can be obtained, they are preferable to 

 men, for the reason that they will do as much work for 

 half the money. Besides, the stooping posture they have 

 to assume does not tire them so much as it does men. A 

 careful man, however, should always be along to cover up 

 the seed, and to exercise general control. The seed is 

 usually covered with a rake, by drawing the loose 

 mold over it, about two inches deep. This should be 

 pressed down closely, so as to come in close contact with 

 the seed, and afford it aliment from the start. The cov- 

 erer may do it by simply walking up the row as he pro- 

 ceeds with his task, or it may be slapped down with a 

 spade or shovel, or a light roller may be used. And here 

 the work of planting the nursery is ended. But should 

 the ground be poor, or the season cold and backward, a 

 slight dressing of some active fertilizer should be used. 

 Ashes, guano, or any of the popular superphosphates will 



