262 C'HOKK OF MHTHOI* oK FOIOIATION. 



Section 1. — Ciioict: ]iET\VKi:N \)in\:ci Sowinc; and I'lanting. 



Formerly the artificial formation of woods was chietiy 

 eflfected by direct sowing, planting being restricted to special 

 cases where the other method was not likely to succeed. The 

 reasons for this were, that sowing was considered to be more 

 certain and cheaper, since it was generally the custom to use 

 too large transplants. In the course of time the raising of 

 plants was elaborated, smaller plants were used and the 

 expense considerably reduced, so that now far more planting 

 than direct sowing is done. Yet it is not always a foregone 

 conclusion that planting is better or more suitable than direct 

 sowing, since many differing conditions and factors affect the 

 ultimate results. The effect of some of these factors is as yet 

 somewhat obscure, but in many respects experience has taught 

 the forester, which of the two methods is preferable under a 

 given set of conditions. The points of view from which the 

 choice of method may be approached are manifold, and 

 amongst these the following deserve attention : — 



(1.) Objects of management. 



(2.) Desired sylvicultural system. 



(3.) Selected species. 



(4.) Conditions of locality. 



(5.) External dangers threatening the young wood. 



(6.) Quality and quantity of available labour. 



(7.) Cost. 



1. Olijiuts of MdiKKifiiiriit. 



The objects of management are shortly indicated on 

 pages 1 and 2, and it will readily be understood that, 

 according to circumstances, either planting or direct sowing 

 may more completely meet them. 



Where landscape beauty is the object aimed at, few foresters 

 would think of adopting direct sowing; where time is an 

 object and expense of minor importance, the planting of 

 strong transplants would be most siiitalilc. If the ol)j('ft of 



