tfBACTICAL FORESTRY. 



after being fixed at each end, the first alley, or path, is 

 marked out by treading the soil alongside of the line. The 

 length of the bed thus marked off on one side is quite 

 immaterial, but the width is of great importance, and should 

 never exceed 4 ft. ; 3 ft. 6 in. is nearer the mark. 



Adjoining this first line, a bed the above width is marked 

 off with a peg or stake at each end, the line reset and a 

 second alley marked off. The alley, or path, between each 

 couple of beds need not exceed 15 in. in width, and this for 

 the sake of convenience in sowing, weeding, watering, shad- 

 ing, and otherwise attending to the bed and its occupants. 

 Outside this follows a second bed, and so on, until the 

 desired number has been formed. Some persons raise the 

 seed-beds a little above the level of the paths, but, except in 

 very retentive or damp soils, this is not to be recommended. 

 The beds should in no instance, however, be below the level 

 of the paths. There are two methods employed in opening 

 up and preparing the beds for the reception of the seeds 

 either of which, if carefully gone about, is well suited for the 

 exigencies of the case. My own way has always been to 

 level and smooth the surface of the bed with a small-toothed 

 rake, and after sowing the seeds to cover lightly with fine 

 soil and ashes carefully sifted over the bed by means of a 

 small-meshed riddle. This plan has many advantages, not 

 the most unimportant being the covering of the seeds to an 

 equal depth, and the employing of only the finest class of 

 soil. The other method is by using what is termed a 

 " cuffing-board " that is, a board about 8 in. wide, placed 

 on a handle, which is inserted on the centre, towards the 

 back, the handle being fully 5 ft. long. A skilled person is 

 required to use this tool, who stands first on one side of the 

 bed, in the alley, and then in the other, pushing or drawing 

 towards him from the surface of the bed a thin coating of soil 

 along its full length and from about two -thirds of its surface. 



As to the amount or depth of soil taken off, this is regulated 

 by the particular kind of seed to be sown, as well as the 

 nature of the soil. 



The next matter, the depth at which the seed should be 

 sown, is one of great importance. Usually seeds are sown 



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