NOTIONS ON AETIFICIAL EE STOCKING. 203 



ceased to exist, and if the operation is performed 

 with equal precautions, it will be easy to convince 

 one's self that, all things well considered, planting is 

 more expeditious, more certain in its results, and 

 more economical than sowing. 



It is more expeditious, because, only plants of a 

 certain age being used, failure can be detected the 

 very first year, arid be thus repaired at once. In 

 sowing, on the other hand, success or failure cannot 

 be appreciated until after several years. Notably in 

 the case of the Scotch pine, many of the finest seed- 

 lings die from the disease termed defoliation between 

 their third and sixth year. 



It is more certain, because in the first place the 

 success of sowing depends on the quality of the seed 

 used, and as in most cases this has to be purchased, 

 there is always the risk of obtaining seeds which are 

 old, rotten or dry, or gathered before they are ripe ; 

 and in the second place, if the seeds are good they 

 are liable not to germinate, or if they germinate to 

 be choked up in the midst of rank, herbaceous vegeta- 

 tion, &c., &c. 



It is more economical, first, because, owing to 

 uncertainty about the quality of the seeds, more is 

 sown than is necessary, and if all these sprout, the 

 young plants come up sickly, in consequence of being 

 too close together ; and second, because, if there are 

 empty places, where the seed has failed, these must 

 be planted up, an operation, which from the blanks 

 being far apart, sometimes costs as much as the 

 previous sowing. 



Notwithstanding the unquestionable superiority 



