56 



, SYLVICULTURE. 



is specially useful (owing to the fixed nitrogen in the root-nodules). 

 About i to of the nursery area should be treated thus each year ; and 

 if direct manuring be applied at all, it is best given in the shape of good 

 leaf-mould (beech best, if available) or well-rotted turf, &c. These mild 

 natural manures are generally preferable to stronger artificial manures, 

 which usually tend to produce lanky plants unsuitable for planting out on 

 rough, poor land. 



13. Drill-sown beds need less seed, are easier and cheaper to weed, and 

 less liable to have the young plants lifted by frost (a danger greatest on 

 stiff soil) ; and weeding is facilitated if the drills are made across the bed, 

 and not longways. Acorns can be dibbled 2 in. apart in drills about 9 in. 

 apart and covered with about 1| in. of soil ; but beech-nuts and similar 

 seeds can be put much closer in 6-in. drills ; and small seeds like those of 

 many Conifers are sown in 6-in. drills more thickly, and are far more 

 lightly covered with earth. Sowing should take place in dry weather, if 

 possible ; and after the earthing-over of the drills, the beds should be 

 lightly rolled. Scots Pine, Spruce, and Larch seed sown broadcast should 

 be raked over and rolled ; but very small seeds (Alder, Birch, Red Cedar, 

 Cypresses, &c.) need only be firmed in with very little soil-covering. For 

 dibbled seed the quantity required for each bed can easily be calculated ; 

 but for drill-sowing of smaller seeds the following are rough general 

 averages of the quantity needed per 100 sq. ft. of seed-bed : Scots Pine, 

 Spruce, Elm, and Hornbeam, about 4 oz. ; Austrian Pine, Ash, Maple, and 

 Sycamore, about 6 oz. ; Larch, Douglas Fir, Birch, and Alder, about 8 oz. ; 

 Silver Fir, about 1 Ib. ; and for broadcast sowing from 2 to 3 times these 

 quantities are needed. The period of germination varies from 2-3 up to 

 4-6 weeks for the different kinds of tree-seeds. (See also page 38.) 



The following are data for 1909-10 from an Argyllshire nursery on a 

 stiff soil apt to lift with frost, the seed-beds being made 25 ft. x 4 f t. = 

 100 sq. ft., and 10 drills sown thickly 4 in. apart : 



