Sowing of Seeds Broad-cast, etc. 37 



CHAPTER V. 



OF THE VARIOUS MODES OF PROPAGATION OF FOREST TREES. 



140. In securing the growth of trees in a new grove or woodland, 

 we may obtain plants by either of the following methods : 



(1.) From the seeds sown broad-cast or planted where the trees 

 are to grow. 



(2.) From seeds first sown in seed-beds or nurseries, or that spring 

 up from natural sowing, and that are transplanted for permanence. 



(3.) From cuttings, layers, and other methods of propagation 

 from parts of living trees, and that perpetuate the varieties peculiar 

 to each. These may be separately considered : 



1. Seeds sown Broad-cast or Planted wJiere the Trees are to Grow. 



141. In some species, this is done by nature in a general way, by 

 self-seeding, as in case of the cottonwood, the chief requirement 

 being in the way of preparation, a fresh mellow surface, in the 

 season when the seeds are being scattered by the winds. Upon very 

 steep surfaces, that would be liable to erosion from rains if broken 

 up, the seed may be sown broad-cast, without previously disturbing 

 the soil, and upon northerly slopes this is often done with advan- 

 tage upon the snow. 



142. In establishing a growth of trees upon loose sands, it is also 

 necessary to sow the seeds broad-cast, usually with those of other 

 plants that give them some protection when young ; for, in this 

 case, the first fibers of the roots strike deep into the soil, and they 

 can not afterwards be removed without injury. 



143. It is generally preferable to plant the seeds in rows, so as to 

 admit of cultivation between the trees while they are small. This 

 may be done by seed-planters, or by hand, as will be more particu- 

 larly described concerning the several kinds of trees elsewhere de- 

 scribed. In planting seeds directly, allowance should be made for 

 loss from deep covering, depredations of birds and insects, and other 

 waste, as well as from defective seeds, and from the various acci- 

 dents to which the young plants may be exposed. In such cases 

 they should be thinned out from time to time, and often the plants 

 thus taken out may be used in filling up the blank spaces in the 

 rows. In doing this, the hole should be first made, and the plant 



