DIRECT SOWING 139 



The cost of labour in sowing must vary greatly. On 

 perfectly clean forest land, seed can be broadcasted, or 

 sown in lines or patches, and raked in for about 43. 6d. 

 an acre. 



But if it be necessary to hoe up lines and clear them of 

 weeds, etc., the cost will be about 1 an acre ; though, if a 

 plough can be worked, the labour should not be more than 

 i os. an acre. 



Dibbling acorns, in rows 2 feet apart and acorns 6 inches 

 apart in the rows, costs about I2s. an acre. 



For sowing small seed in rows, a seed-can is most useful, 

 and will save a great deal of time. When the seed is sown 

 in little patches, about 6 or 7 seeds, if small, should be sown 

 on each patch. This, though, will depend upon the germina- 

 tive capacity and other considerations. 



The following table will show the relative cost of sowing 

 broadcast and sowing in lines about 2 feet apart, and also 

 of dibbling I or 2 year seedlings at the rate of 10,000, 6000, 

 and 4000 per acre (i.e. just over 2 feet, 2 feet 6 inches, and 

 3 feet 3 inches apart). 



It is assumed that the land is perfectly clean ; that unless 

 otherwise stated, the cost of sowing and raking in is 43. 6d. 

 an acre ; that, for sowing in strips, about half the amount of 

 seed usually sown broadcast is necessary ; and that the cost 

 of dibbling is 43. per 1000. 



Fencing against rabbits is not included. 



When comparing the cost of direct sowing with the cost 

 of dibbling in seedlings, as shown in the following table, 

 it must be noted. that nothing has been charged for keep- 

 ing the sown crop clean. Thus, if any cleaning be neces- 

 sary, it will materially add to the expense. If the land 

 were foul with weeds, the cost of cleaning, for the first 

 year, would vary from 8s. to 1, 5s. per acre, or even 

 more. 



[TABLE. 



