HARDWICKIA 



349 



around seedlings which have grown under them is very liable to cause the 

 death of the seedlings through desiccation. 



The following particulars of seedlings grown under different conditions in 

 experimental plots at Dehra Dun demonstrate clearly the beneficial effects of 

 regular weeding : 



Hardivickia hinata 



measurements of seedlings in experimental plots, 

 Dehra Dun. 



No. 

 1 



Condition under 

 which grown. 



In nursery beds, 



watered and weeded 



Height of seedlings at end of 

 season. 



1st season. 



ft. 6 in.- 

 1 ft. 2 in. 



2nd season. 

 Maximum 

 2 ft. 6 in. 



2 Broadcast sowing, Maximum Oft. 11 in. - 



irrigated, weeded ft. 10 in.i 2 ft. 4 in.^ 



3 Broadcast sowing. Maximum ft. 3 in. and 



irrigated, unweeded ft. 4 in.^ ft. 4 in.* 



Remarks. 



^ 42 survivors, vigorous. 

 ^ 36 survivors, vigorous. 



^ 8 survivors. 



* 2 survivors ; rest killed by 



suppression of grass and weeds 



li ft. high. 



4 Broadcast sowing, un- 



irrigated, weeded. 



5 Broadcast sowing, un- 



irrigated, unweeded 



ft. 7 in.- 

 2 ft. in.5 



ft. 3 in.- 

 ft. 4 in.6 



20 survivors, vigorous. 



^ 4 survivors in poor condition ; 

 rest killed by suppression of 

 grass and weeds. 



The observations recorded in Nimar and at Dehra Dun lead to the general 

 conclusion that if moisture conditions are such as to prevent mortality by 

 drought, freedom from grass and weeds, with the attendant loosening of the 

 soil during weeding, is of great benefit as regards the development and survival 

 of the seedling ; but where, as is probably the case in most if not all parts 

 of the natural region of the tree, such moisture conditions do not exist, a soil- 

 covering of grass is of benefit and may be essential for the survival of the 

 seedling, in that it protects it from desiccation. In the latter case, however, 

 it may be presumed, on general principles as well as from the results of the 

 Dehra Dun experiments and of sowings in the Central Provinces and Berar, 

 that the soil-covering of grass must have an adverse effect on the development 

 of the seedling, and that on soil which is loosened and thus aerated better 

 development may be expected, provided the seedling and the soil can be 

 afforded protection by trees, bushes, or otherwise, from the desiccating effects 

 of the sun and dry winds. This question closely concerns the natural repro- 

 duction of the species, and will be further alluded to below. 



SiLVicuLTURAL CHARACTERS. The physical conditions under which Hard- 

 wickia hinata grows in its natural habitat have been dealt with in some detail 

 under distribution and habitat. It may be said in general that the tree thrives 

 in a dry climate and is capable of establishing itself and growing on dry shallow 

 soil and rocky ground where most other species would succumb. This is due 

 partly to the great development of the taproot during youth and its power 

 of penetrating hard soil and fissures in solid rock, the stem usually dying back 

 annually during the development of the taproot, and partly to the fact that 

 the tree stands mutilation better than the majority of species. These facts 



