SOWING AND PLANTING 187 



the first year. In the same way, where sowings have 

 been made, there will be some gaps in which the seed 

 has not germinated, or where, if it has germinated, the 

 young seedlings have sickened. If these gaps are 

 inconsiderable, and if the species sown or planted which 

 are still alive are still growing sufficiently close or are 

 of a fairly quick-growing species to fill up these gaps, 

 there will be no necessity to refill them artificially. 

 But in most areas under reafforestation some refilling 

 will be necessary. This is called supplying vacancies, 

 and if plants are put in they are called supplies. 



In sowings, the vacancies may be supplied by 

 putting in fresh seed in the vacant spots, but if, over 

 the rest of the area, the seedlings are not backward, 

 it will be best to put in plants. In areas which have 

 been planted it is usual to put in supplies. 



Where these are put in, it is imperative to make 

 them a success ; only strong, healthy transplants should 

 be used which will be able to thrive on soil which has 

 not been improved by one year's exposure. For this 

 reason plants raised in supply-baskets are the best, as 

 none of their root-fibres need be disturbed in planting. 

 They may be more expensive, but it is better to have 

 expensive plants sure to thrive than to have to go on 

 supplying for several years. 



In all areas under afforestation a watchful eye must 

 be kept against inroads of fire, of destructive animals, 

 and of plant parasites, especially of fungoid diseases. 

 It is not sufficient to cut out unhealthy shoots ; they 

 should be destroyed by fire, and it may even be necessary 

 to take out entire plants and burn them, in order to 

 save the rest from being attacked in the same way. 

 In cutting out, jagged wounds should be avoided ; the 

 wounds should be made clean and with a sharp knife, 

 and coal-tar should be painted over them to prevent 

 the ingress of destructive insects or fungi. 



In comparing the relative value of direct sowing 

 with planting, it should be first borne in mind that 



