34 



PLANTING OF WHITE PINE IN NEW ENGLAND. 



10 inches apart. For the three-drill row three strips should be placed 1 

 to 1^ inches apart, and the sets 12 inches apart. In use, the marker is 

 simply pressed gently against the soft, fine earth of the seedbed so 

 that the sharp edges of the strip will sink about one-fourth of an inch 

 into the soil. It may then be lifted and set again in another place, or 

 it may be slowly pulled along, making two rows of drills at a time. 

 The seed should be planted immediately after using the marker, so 

 that the soil may not become dry. Seeds should be dropped one-half 

 to 1 inch apart in the row. Should there be more than one drill in a 

 row, the latter distance is preferable. Seeds may be conveniently 



dropped from a small-necked bottle by 



nil i u^/. n "i /* holding the thumb over the opening and 



v ^ ~^a ~^-a avowing the seeds to drop out rapidly 



one by one. 



When the seed has been planted, tine 

 moist soil should be sprinkled in the 

 drills to a depth of one-fourth of an inch. 

 The soil should then be made firm by 

 rolling the beds with a light hand roller. 

 If this is not available, a smooth board 

 may be pressed firmly against the soil 

 with the foot. 



It is better to sow the seed when the 

 weather is moderately cloud} T , but not 

 wet. The seed of white pine does not 

 need much moisture for germination, and 

 an oversupply is injurious. 



Growth for the first year is slow, and 

 the young plants are very tender. The} r 

 therefore require shade and care. The 

 frame may be constructed of cloth, like 

 the ordinary tobacco frame, or it may 

 be a half shade of lath frames (fig. 2). 

 These frames are usually most convenient 

 in 6-foot lengths and for beds 4 feet wide. 

 The 6-foot strips to which the laths are nailed may be conveniently 1 by 

 3 inches or 1 by 4 inches. Posts 2 by 2 inches or 2 by 4 inches, and 

 sufficiently long to protrude 12 inches above the surface, should be 

 placed accurately every 6 feet, so that the sections may rest upon them. 

 Under favorable conditions germination takes place in from ten to 

 fifteen days, and three weeks from the date of planting should see many 

 seedlings above ground. Weeds should be carefully removed and the 

 soil kept continually loose. and porous. Excess of water should be 

 excluded. This may be accomplished by using the shade as a partial 

 roof. Should continued rains occur, one side of the shade should be 



FIG. 1. Marker. 



