58 



SYLVICULTURE. 



One of the simplest is a seed- distributor (fig. 4), made the same length 

 as the drillmaker, and used along with it. This consists of a piece of 

 wood (a) as long as the seed-bed is wide (3f or 4 feet), with a longitudinal 

 groove (c) wide and deep enough to hold the quantity of seed to sow. 

 The seed is kept in place by a sliding top- piece (&), and the whole is 

 turned round and placed exactly over the drill ; and on the top-piece (now 

 resting on the ground) being withdrawn, the seed falls into the drill. 

 Another simple contrivance is the souring - horn, made of tin (fig. 5), 



Fig. 4. 

 I 



Fig. 5- 



Cross - section of a 

 seed-distributor. 



a. The grooved piece 

 of wood ; b. The 

 sliding top-piece ; 

 c. The groove for 

 holding the seed. 



The Sowing-horn. 



chiefly used for small Conifer seeds. On its spout are four movable 

 nozzles to regulate the issue of seed. An acorn dibbler can also be used for 

 dibbling large seeds (fig. 6). 



In Britain, seedlings are usually set in the transplant lines by being 

 placed in position against the perpendicular side of the trench cut to 

 receive them ; and after the loose earth is replaced, it is trodden in. 

 This tends to deform the roots. A better method is to use a seedling- 

 pricker (fig. 7), notched so that the seedlings can be put at the re- 

 quired distance. When charged with plants, it is laid along the edge of 



