18 THE TREE PROPAGATOR AND PLANTER. 



When made smooth on the surface, and the seed 

 sown moderately thick oyer the whole place, with 

 some of the fine-sifted compost sown over it, barely 

 covering it, then set the seed-pans behind a north wall, 

 or rather behind a south wall or hedge, which would 

 be of course on the north side. It is not advisable 

 that they should be exposed to the open north winds 

 without some break, for in such a case the seed will 

 vegetate reluctantly. 



To be really successful in raising the seedlings of 

 any of the Coniferce (which means all the Pine, Fir, 

 and Cupressus tribes), it is necessary to possess favour- 

 able circumstances with regard to the situation; partial 

 shade, and shelter from harsh and drying winds. These 

 are necessary for raising these tribes from seed, together 

 with careful watching, to see that the surfaces of the 

 pans or beds do not get perfectly dry. As at certain 

 times of the year (April and May, for instance), drought 

 may be expected to be severe, a daily sprinkling will 

 be necessary to prevent the spearing of the seed being 

 delayed ; but care must be taken not to supersaturate 

 or sodden the earth, or it will rot. The seed is also 

 liable to the attacks of mice, to prevent which place 

 some fine wire netting over the seed-pans. 



The seedlings should remain in the pans two years, 

 or at the least until the April following, when they 

 may be transplanted from the pans to a bed or beds of 

 fine sandy soil well prepared. In doing this choose 

 showery weather, mark the surface of the bed across 

 with a five-foot measure at 6 or 8 inches apart, then 

 shake the seedlings out of the soil, or rather the soil 

 out of the roots, and shorten the roots moderately. 

 Then, as quickly as possible, before they dry too much, 

 prick them out into the lines with a common dibber, at 

 4 to 6 inches asunder, and well water them afterwards. 

 Here they may remain for one or two seasons, when 

 they must be replanted at a greater distance apart, and 

 soon, about every two or three years, a replanting will 

 be necessary, until the plants are placed where they 

 are to remain permanently. 



