138 PLANTING 



when the trees grow, those in the centre row should be very 

 well pruned trees, having been pruned by the two outside 

 rows, which are retained until the trees in the centre rows 

 are large enough to prune each other. 



This method, however, is open to the objection that the 

 small trees planted so closely in the lines which are far apart, 

 sway about a great deal, and chafe the stems of each other, 

 and thereby increase the risk of diseases. 1 The same plan 

 may be adopted when dibbling in seedlings, but it is open 

 to the same objection. 



Sowings may, however, often be made with advantage on 

 clean land which is now growing timber. The new crop, if 

 shade-bearing, may be sown and left as an under crop in 

 two-storied high forest ; or else, if light-demanding, it may 

 be sown under a very light canopy after most of the 

 old crop has been removed. In the latter case, the shelter 

 wood must not be retained for more than a year or so, but, 

 owing to the covering of leaves, any rank growth of grass 

 will be kept in check, and the young crop should easily hold 

 its own. 



The season and manner for sowing has already been 

 discussed. 2 It should be remembered that stale seed should 

 always be avoided. 



Direct sowings, however, should never be attempted 

 unless the soil and situation be favourable, though Birch 

 seed may be sown almost anywhere, except on rank grass, 

 where the seedlings would be smothered. 



Generally speaking, seed is either sown broadcast, or in 

 lines, or in patches. 



On ordinary clean forest land, all that is necessary is 

 to rake it in, so that it reaches the mineral soil. If the land 

 be not clean enough, patches or lines must be hoed up. 



These lines should be about 2 feet apart. On the average, 

 only about half of the quantity of small seed necessary for 

 sowing broadcast will be required for sowing in lines. 



1 The author has observed a great prevalence of Nectria ditissina in 

 Beech and Oak so grown. 



2 Vide Chapter III. 



