I04 HOW TO GROW A FOREST FROM SEED 



their own diameter being recommended. In a clay soil they 

 are often thrown out by the frost, and hence should be given 

 a little deeper planting. Strong growing seed like the black 

 walnut, the writer has observed germinating and growing 

 from a depth of six and eight inches, but they lose much time 

 in getting to the sunlight, and many become discouraged in 

 making their way through the soil. The illustration of the 

 oak seedling shows that the seed is very near the surface. 

 The idea is to get the seed into the ground only so far as is 

 necessary for it to get sufficient moisture and soil to establish 

 itself. It is a great mistake to plant too deeply. Do not 

 delay planting early in spring. The seeds need the moist 

 early spring conditions. 



{d) Grozvih of seedling. 



The growth of the white pine seedling is only from one to 

 two inches the first year, while that of the oak, chestnut, 

 walnut, etc., is nearer a foot. Where seedlings do not receive 

 any culture, as in nature, their growth is much slower and 

 hence nursery grown seedlings are usually larger. The 

 white pine is too small and delicate to transplant the first 

 season. When two years of age they range in size from three 

 to five inches and have a well-developed root system of 

 fibrous roots and will stand transplanting. At the age of 

 three years they average between six and ten inches and 

 should not be allowed to grow longer without transplanting, 

 either to the permanent grounds or to the nursery row. 

 Where some seedlings are allowed to stand four years, the 

 larger and better plants are taken out during the second and 

 third seasons, thus giving them room to develop. Where 

 sown thickly the tendency is to grow up spindling, and this 

 should not be allowed to go too far. 



{e) Transplants. 



This is a term applied to seedlings after they have been 

 transplanted at least once. By transplanting them and giving 

 them more room they develop into a more sturdy growth and 

 are thought to withstand again transplanting to their per- 

 manent quarters better than seedlings. Not only a better top 

 but a more symmetrical root system is found on the transplant. 



