96 IMPORTANT TIMBER TREES 



after which they should be covered even with the surface 

 of the bed with fine loose soil, or, as recommended for 

 broadcast sowing, leaf mould and sand. Coniferous seeds 

 should be placed from one fourth to three fourths of an 

 inch apart in the rows, the distance being governed by the 

 percentage of fertility and the species. After the seeds are 

 covered a board can be laid on and a light blow with a spade 

 be given ; or the operator can step on it, if the covering of 

 the seeds is of loose material; if not, then nothing need be 

 done with it. 



When broadleaf seeds are to be sown, the width of the 

 marker and the thickness and depth of the V-shaped strips 

 must be greater. Rows eight inches apart, with a thickness 

 and depth of one half inch for the V's will serve well for 

 nearly all broadleaf trees except the nut-bearing ones 

 directions for these being given elsewhere (page 117) when 

 considering tap-rooted species. Elm seeds and a few others 

 can be sown the same depth as conifers. Nearly all broad - 

 leaf seeds should be spaced from one to one and one half 

 inches apart in the rows, if there is sixty per cent fertility. 

 This is on the supposition that they are to be removed from 

 the seed-bed at the end of the first year, or the second year 

 at the latest. If allowed to remain longer, they should be 

 placed farther apart in rows. 



The method for sowing in rows thus far indicated is suit- 

 able for small areas, but when large ones are to be sown it 

 is advisable to use a seed drill for such seeds as it is fitted 

 for. A well-devised one, and there are such, when 

 properly adjusted and operated, will not only save much 

 time and labor, but will sow more evenly than can be done 

 by hand, although it has some drawbacks, one of which is 

 the difficulty experienced in running it across the beds. 

 That can be successfully done, but it takes more time than 

 to run it lengthwise and there is danger of breaks in the seed- 

 ing. The only advantage in running it across the beds lies 

 in convenience in cultivating the plants ; but when beds are 

 not over four and one half feet wide and the rows are length- 



