174 ARTIFICIAL FORMATION OF WOODS. 



wind. Autiiinn plantin}:; is preferiiMe in the case of localities 

 which are not accessible until late in spring, or of sj^ecies 

 which start early in spring. 



Spring planting has the advantages that the period of severe 

 frost is past, and that vegetation begins shortly after planting. 

 On the whole it is preferable to autumn planting in the 

 case of most conifers, provided the work can be com[)leted 

 before vegetation begins. In many cases, especially when the 

 operations are conducted on a large scale, l)oth spring and 

 autumn planting have to be done. 



Over the greater part of India the most favourable season 

 of the year is the commencement of the summer rains ; the 

 plants receive sufficient moisture, and they have the whole 

 growing season before them to settle down in their new home 

 and to get strong before the next dry season comes round. 

 Land which can be irrigated may be planted at any season, 

 provided the soil is not frozen. 



Ij. l)eiisiti/ of Plantiiui. 



The general principles which govern the density of direct 

 sowing apply also here ; that is to say, the cover overhead 

 Klif)uld ])e estal)lished within a period of from 5 to 10 years. 

 As plants come on more regularly than seedlings grown on 

 the spot, a smaller number per acre suffices, than that 

 required in the case of sowing. For the rest the planting 

 distance depends on :^- 



(a.) The locality, in so far as it iniiuences the percentage 



of failures and the vigour of the plants, 

 (b.) The species, especially its degree of hardiness and 

 rate of height growth in early youth. Quick growing 

 species can be planted farther apart than slow growing 

 species. Oak aiid Scotch pine must be planted dense, 

 on account of their tendency to branch. 

 (c.) The age and size of the plants; young and small plants 

 must be planted closer than old and large ones. 



